Bipolar disorder, or manic depression, is a mood disorder composed of alternating periods of depression and mania. Medications for bipolar disorder help to stabilize mood by reducing the number of manic, hypomanic, depressive and mixed episodes. Common types of medications used to treat bipolar disorder include mood stabilizers, anticonvulsants and antipsychotics. All of these medications have a number of adverse side effects.
Lithium
Lithium remains the oldest and most common mood stabilizing medication prescribed for bipolar disorder. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, lithium works effectively in 60 to 80 percent of all hypomanic and manic episodes and it reduces the risks of relapse, hospitalizations and suicide. Common side effects that occur when taken in moderate doses include loss of coordination, nausea and trembling. Long-term use typically causes weight gain. When taken in excessively high doses, lithium can cause convulsions, coma or stupor. Overdoses can be fatal.
Quetiapine
Seroquel, or quetiapine, is approved by the Food and Drug Administration or FDA to treat both the manic and depressive episodes associated with bipolar disorder. Common side effects include abdominal pain, weakness, dry mouth, drowsiness, sore throat, constipation and weight gain. According to the medication guide for seroquel, serious side effects include changes in blood pressure, seizures, increased suicidal thoughts and actions and increased risk of death among elderly patients with dementia.
Carbamazepine
Carbamazepine, or Tegretol, is a commonly prescribed anticonvulsant used to control the rapid cycling from mania to depression that may occur in the course of hours or days. Side effects rarely occur, but can include drowsiness, dizziness, vomiting, changes in blood pressure and allergic reactions such as hives and rashes. Physicians' Desktop Reference warns that tegretol has caused serious reactions in the liver, skin and blood and can be fatal.
Valproic acid
Valproic acid, brand name Depakote, is an anticonvulsant medication that physicians may prescribe in addition to or as an alternative for lithium. Physicians prescribe it for the manic episodes of bipolar disorder. Adverse side effects most commonly reported during a clinical trial include nausea, drowsiness, dizziness, weakness and vomiting, according to RxList.com. This medication also increases the risk for suicidal thought and behavior. Rare side effects include liver damage, pancreatic, convulsions and coma.
Risperidone
Risperdal, or risperidone, is an antipsychotic drug used to treat mania and mixed episodes. According to Drugs.com, some of the most commonly reported side effects from patients in a clinical trial included increased appetite, fatigue, upper respiratory infections, constipation, fever, dry mouth and abdominal pain. Serious side effects include diabetes, seizures, heart problems and a drop in blood pressure.
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