Bipolar disorder affects approximately 5.7 million U.S. adults every year. Also known as manic depression, it's a neurochemical disorder of the brain that causes severe fluctuations in mood that can affect normal functioning in relationships, work and school. Medications to treat the symptoms of bipolar disorder can be prescribed by a physician, usually a psychiatrist (a physician who specializes in mental health and disorders). In some parts of the U.S., clinical psychologists with special training or psychiatric nurse practitioners can also prescribe medications to treat bipolar disorder. The U.S. National Institute of Mental Health classifies medications for bipolar disorder in three distinct categories according to the symptoms they target: antidepressant, anti-psychotic and mood-stabilizing medications. Many of these medications are taken in combination with each other and may be taken over a patient's lifetime to help manage symptoms and improve functioning.
Antidepressant Medications
These medications are often taken with mood-stabilizing medications and specifically target the depressive symptoms of bipolar disorder: fluoxetine (brand name Prozac); paroxetine (Paxil); sertraline (Zoloft); bupropion (Wellbutrin); and escitalopram oxalate (Lexapro).
Anti-psychotic Medications
This category of medications is often called "atypical" anti-psychotic medications, to better distinguish it from earlier forms of anti-psychotic medications that had different chemical effects on the brain. Atypical anti-psychotic medications are used to treat the psychotic symptoms that often accompany the mood fluctuations of bipolar disorder: olanzapine (brand name Zyprexa); apripiprazole (Abilify); quetiapine (Seroquel); risperidone (Risperdal); and ziprasidone (Geodon).
Mood-Stabilizing Medications
This category of medications is a popular first choice of physicians who treat bipolar disorder. These medications are generally anticonvulsant medications that have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treatment of bipolar disorder because of their ability to help control mood swings. Examples of mood stabilizing medications: lithium (brand name Eskalith or Lithobid), which is not an anticonvulsant medication and was the first medication approved for the treatment of bipolar disorder; valproic acid or divalproex sodium (Depakote); lamotrigine (Lamictal); gabapentin (Neurontin); topiramate (Topamax); oxcarbazepine (Trileptal); and carbamazepine (Tegretol).
