Some Bipolar Medication and how it Works

There are many bipolar recovery success stories with complete remission that we hear around. But, unfortunately there are many more that are still looking for the right bipolar medicine or combination of prescribed drugs to cure them. Finding an effective treatment can be a very challenging process for many. This is because allergies, bad reactions or the complete failure of bipolar medication drugs are known to exist.

Adjusting to Medication

Because bipolar is a complicated illness, medication adjustments can be very tough for doctors. Many Bipolar sufferers while on drugs get stable for a period but then the body rejects the drug and they have to start all over again. Unfortunately this is the tough reality for many people on prescribed drugs.

Some Common Drugs and what they do

Lithium: Lithium alters the flow of sodium through nerve system and cells in the body muscle. It is this sodium that affects the human excitation or mania episodes. While lithium is quite a cheap drug, about $20 per month many patients have opted for other expensive drugs because of its side effects. Lots of people have linked lithium to kidney disease but that has to be verified.

Lamictal or Lamotrigine: market name for Lamotrigine, no one really knows how it works but some believe that it is a channel blocker, blocking sodium from entering the body. Lamictal is a good drug but can be quite expensive around $250.00 per month. Most bipolar patients tolerate this drug quite well with no experience of side effects. Because of this it has been suggested that lamotrigine has a different mechanism of action from others like lithium.

Chlorpromazine: comes under the class of drugs called phenothiazines. Its main work is to change the chemical actions in the brain. It is used to treat psychotic disorders like bipolar.

Depakote: Valproic acid, also known as divalproex increases the amount of amino acid (gamma-aminobutyric acid) and alters the properties of voltage sodium dependent channels. This acid is associated with the transmission of nerve impulses in the central nervous system. For those who have problems with lithium this is another best option.

Risperdal (PDR):  under the trade name Risperdal, Risperidone is an antipsychotic drug used for treatment of schizophrenia in adolescent mixed and mania episodes.

Seroquel:  prevents communication between nerves of the brain by blocking the chemicals that nerves use for reaching each other.  It is a drug licensed for treating bipolar mania.

Zyprexa: under the generic name olanzapine no one really knows exactly how this medicine works. It is believed that it changes certain actions of some chemicals within the brain. It is used for mania depression in bipolar disorder.

Simple Warning

When taking your medication in tablet form do not crush, chew, or break it up for it must be taken whole because the medicine  must be released slowly into the body. Breaking the pill can cause too much of the drug being released all one once in the human body.

Perseverance

If there is one word of encouragement for those with bipolar, it would be this: PERSEVERE and 100% medication compliant. Make sure you are up to date with all your appointments and keep pushing even when you are faced with setbacks, exhausted and just want to give up. Be a passive patient and proactive in your own treatment.

Good News

Bipolar disorder CAN be conquered and this has been proven by many.