Patients who have bipolar disorder have symptoms of both depression and mania. Depression causes sadness, a lack of energy and changes in appetite, while mania causes euphoria, impulsive behaviors and reduced need for sleep. These symptoms can interfere with patients' lives. Some bipolar disorder patients use medications to manage their symptoms. While these medications can help patients function normally, they do have side effects.
Mood Stabilizers
Helpguide.org points out that mood stabilizers effectively treat the highs and lows of the disorder. One option is lithium, which takes one to two weeks to start working. A bipolar disorder patient may take another type of mood stabilizer. Classified as anticonvulsants, valproic acid, topiramate, carbamazepine and lamotrigine can help to control bipolar disorder symptoms. Atypical antipsychotics, such as quetiapine and olanzapine, can help with the depression symptoms of bipolar disorder and with psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations.
Side Effects
These medications can cause some side effects. For example, patients taking lithium may experience restlessness or a dry mouth. The National Institute of Mental Health notes that lithium can cause brittle hair or nails. Other side effects of lithium include bloating and joint or muscle pain. Other mood stabilizers can cause cold-like symptoms, diarrhea, dizziness and drowsiness. Some patients may have constipation instead. Anticonvulsants can also cause headaches, heartburn and mood swings.
Antidepressants
While patients have used antidepressants for the depression symptoms of bipolar disorder, Helpguide.org explains that they can cause serious side effects. For example, if a patient takes an antidepressant alone, it can change her mood from depression to mania. When combined with a mood stabilizer, antidepressants do not cause this problem. Antidepressants can also increase mood cycling, meaning the number of mood swings the patient has.
Warnings
Some of the bipolar disorder medications carry warnings that patients should consider. For example, lithium can cause low thyroid function. While on lithium, patients need to have their thyroid function checked regularly. Women taking valproic acid may have an increase in testosterone, which can result in polycystic ovary syndrome. The Food and Drug Administration warns that antidepressants may cause suicidal thoughts in some users.
Options
Patients have options if the side effects of these medications do not go away or interfere in their lives. For example, the doctor may reduce how much the patient takes. If a reduction does not help, Helpguide.org explains that the doctor may change the patient's prescription to another medication. Bipolar disorder patients should not stop taking their medications without talking to their doctors.
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