Sections
Mood Stabilizers: Introduction | General Treatment Approaches | Lithium | Anticonvulsants | Antipsychotics | Benzodiazepines | Calcium Channel Blockers | Omega-3 Fatty Acids | Bibliography
Excerpt
The term mood stabilizer was
first applied to the lithium salts when it became clear that they
were effective not only in alleviating mania but also as a prophylaxis
against both manic and depressive cycles. Since the introduction
of lithium to the United States in 1969 there have been very few drugs
approved as "mood stabilizers." However, in recent
years new drugs, such as lamotrigine, olanzapine, and aripiprazole,
have been approved for the prevention of mania and depression in
bipolar disorder. In addition, many medications have been approved
for the acute treatment of mania, and the first drugs for the acute
treatment of bipolar depression have now also been approved. It
is somewhat less clear that any of the anticonvulsants currently
used in treating bipolar affective disorder are as deserving of
the term mood stabilizer as is
lithium. However, the second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) with
clear benefits in the acute treatment and prevention of both mania
and depression do appear deserving of such designation.