[Mood Stabilizers: An Overview]

Brain Nerve. 2023 May;75(5):605-611. doi: 10.11477/mf.1416202386.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

Bipolar disorder, a mental illness that affects mood, behavior, and motivation is characterized by alternating depressive and manic (hypomanic) episodes (some mixed episodes include both types of symptoms), with periods of remission between episodes. Symptoms and progress vary across patients. Treatment includes anti-seizure medications and maintenance therapy to prevent seizures. Classically, lithium carbonate and valproate are the most commonly used medications; however, in addition to lamotrigine, atypical antipsychotics including aripiprazole, quetiapine, and lurasidone are being used in recent years. Theoretically, patients are administered monotherapy; however, it is not uncommon to use combination treatment in clinical practice.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use
  • Antimanic Agents / adverse effects
  • Antipsychotic Agents* / adverse effects
  • Antipsychotic Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Bipolar Disorder* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Valproic Acid / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antimanic Agents
  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Anticonvulsants
  • Valproic Acid