Lithium

• Mood Stabilization: Effective in reducing the frequency and severity of manic and depressive episodes.
• Suicide Prevention: Studies suggest that lithium may reduce the risk of suicide in people with bipolar disorder.
• Long-term Efficacy: Proven to be effective over long-term use for many patients.

• Common Side Effects: Tremors, increased thirst, frequent urination, weight gain, gastrointestinal issues (nausea, diarrhea).
• Serious Side Effects: Kidney dysfunction, thyroid problems (hypothyroidism), potential neurotoxicity leading to symptoms like parkinsonism with long-term use.
• Monitoring Required: Regular blood tests are needed to monitor lithium levels due to its narrow therapeutic window.

Depakote (Valproate)

• Mood Stabilization: Effective in treating manic episodes and can also help with mixed episodes.
• Rapid Onset of Action: Often works faster than some other mood stabilizers.

• Common Side Effects: Weight gain, drowsiness or sedation, gastrointestinal issues (nausea, vomiting), hair loss.
• Serious Side Effects: Liver toxicity (requires regular liver function tests), pancreatitis, thrombocytopenia (low platelet count).

Tegretol (Carbamazepine)

• Mood Stabilization: Effective for acute mania and maintenance treatment. Particularly useful for patients who do not respond well to lithium or valproate.
  Can be beneficial for rapid cycling bipolar disorder.
  May have fewer cognitive side effects compared to some other medications.
  Also used as an anticonvulsant which can benefit those with co-occurring seizure disorders.