All medications carry the risk of serious adverse effects. Anti-seizure medications, used to treat bipolar disorder include Depakote, Depakene, Tegretol, Lamictal and Trileptal. While these drugs each carry unique risks, they share some serious risks in common. Patients should discuss all associated risks with their doctors.
Suicide
In 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration published the results of a large clinical trial of 11 different anticonvulsants, including those used as mood stabilizers to treat bipolar disorder. The study could not ascertain which anticonvulsants posed the greatest risk, but did find that those taking anti-seizure drugs experienced twice the rate of suicidal thinking and behavior as those taking placebos. Patients taking anti-seizure medications also proved at higher risk of violent death. However, opinion is divided. While this research is convincing, RxList reports that new data analyzed by researchers at the University of Chicago shows that these same anti-seizure drugs actually decrease the risk of suicide in patients using them as mood stabilizers.
Cardiovascular Problems
Researchers at Jefferson Medical College have discovered a link between certain anti-seizure drugs and cardiovascular disease. A 2009 article in "Science Daily" reports that this research suggests that newer anticonvulsant drugs, including Lamictal, do not pose this risk, while the older drugs such as Tegretol do. The drugs studied seemed to elevate cholesterol, triglycerides and C-reactive protein, all markers of increased risk cardiovascular disease. For those with bipolar disorder who have a family history of heart problems, using these drugs as mood stabilizers may not be advised.
Pregnancy Risks
Different anti-seizure drugs carry various risks during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Lamictal taken during pregnancy poses a risk of cleft palate or cleft lip in babies. Depakote and Depakene have been linked to autism in children of women who took them during pregnancy. Other serious risks may occur from taking other anti-seizure drugs to treat bipolar disorder during pregnancy. Women who are considering becoming pregnant should carefully weigh treatment options with their physicians.
