ipolar medications

people suffering from bipolar disorder go through phases of severe depression that
alternate with periods of feeling normal and/or periods of excessive excitement
and activity known as mania. during the manic phase, people have extremely high
energy, develop grandiose and unrealistic ideas about their abilities, and commit
themselves to unrealistic projects. they may go on spending sprees, for example,
buying several luxury cars despite moderate income. they may go for days without
sleeping. their thoughts become increasingly chaotic; they speak rapidly and they
may become quite angry if interrupted.

lithium: the medication of first choice for bipolar illness is lithium, which
treats both the manic symptoms in seven to ten days and reduces depressive
symptoms when they may develop.

though it is very effective in controlling the wild thoughts and behaviors of

mania, lithium does have some side effects, including tremor, weight gain, nausea,
mild diarrhea, and skin rashes. people taking lithium should drink 10 to 12
glasses of water a day to avoid dehydration. adverse reactions which may develop
in a small number of people include confusion, slurred speech, extreme fatigue or
excitement, muscle weakness, dizziness, difficulty in walking or sleep
disturbances.

physicians also sometimes prescribe anticonvulsant drugs such as carbamazepine or

valproate for people with bipolar disorder, though the fda has not yet approved
them for this purpose. it has been known to cause potentially serious blood
disorders in a minority of cases.
anti-anxiety medications

anxiety disorders, in addition to generalized anxiety, include such disorders as

phobias, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress
disorder. studies indicate that eight percent of all adults have suffered from a
phobia, panic disorder or other anxiety disorder during the preceding six months.
for millions of americans, anxiety disorders are disruptive, debilitating and
often the reason for loss of job and serious problems in family relationships.

often an anxiety disorder, such as a simple phobia or post-traumatic stress

disorder, responds well to psychotherapy, support groups and other non-medication
treatments. but in severe cases, or with certain diagnoses, a person may require
medicine to control the unrelenting and uncontrollable tension and fear that rule
their lives.

psychiatrists can prescribe highly effective medications that relieve the fear,
help end the physical symptoms such as pounding heart and shortness of breath, and
give people a greater sense of control. psychiatrists often prescribe one of the
benzodiazepines, a group of tranquilizers that can reduce debilitating symptoms
and enable a person to concentrate on coping with his or her illness. with a
greater sense of control, this person can learn how to reduce the stress that can
trigger anxiety, developing new behaviors that will lessen the effects of the
anxiety disorder.

benzodiazepines, such as chlordiazepoxide, and diazepam, and several other

medications effectively treat mild to moderate anxiety, but these medications
should be taken for short periods. side effects can include drowsiness, impaired
coordination, muscular weakness and impaired memory and concentration, and
dependence after long-term use.

alprazolam, which is a high-potency benzodiazepine, is effective against anxiety

disorders that are complicated by depression. people with this combination of
symptoms who begin treatment may find that their anxiety symptoms worsen when they
begin anti-depressant medication. alprazolam helps control those anxiety problems
until the anti-depressant takes effect. though alprazolam works quickly and has
fewer side effects than anti-depressants, it is rarely the medication of first
choice because it has a high potential for dependency. its side effects include
drowsiness, impaired coordination, impaired memory and concentration, and muscular
weakness.

another anti-anxiety medication, buspirone, has different side effects than those
sometimes caused by benzodiazepines. though it has little potential for dependency
and doesn't cause drowsiness or impair coordination or memory, buspirone can cause
insomnia, nervousness, light-headedness, upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea, and
headaches.

talking to your healthcare provider about abilify

ask your healthcare provider about abilify if:

* you've been diagnosed with a manic or mixed episode of bipolar disorder

* you are troubled by the side effects of your current medicine
* you think your current medicine is not working to control your symptoms
* you are thinking of stopping or have stopped taking your medicine
* you and your healthcare provider think it's time to try another medicine

use these tools to help you discuss abilify with your healthcare provider:

* medicine side effect checklist

* questions to ask your healthcare provider

important safety information and indications for abilify� (aripiprazole)

indications: abilify (aripiprazole) is indicated for the treatment of:

* acute manic and mixed episodes associated with bipolar i disorder

* maintaining efficacy in patients with bipolar i disorder with a recent manic
or mixed episode who had been stabilized and then maintained for at least 6 weeks

important safety information:

elderly patients, diagnosed with psychosis as a result of dementia (for example,
an inability to perform daily activities as a result of increased memory loss),
and who are treated with atypical antipsychotic medicines including abilify, are
at an increased risk of death when compared to patients who are treated with a
placebo (sugar pill). abilify is not approved for the treatment of patients with
dementia-related psychosis.

serious side effects can occur with any antipsychotic medicine, including abilify.
tell your healthcare professional right away if you have any conditions or side
effects, including the following:

* very high fever, rigid muscles, shaking, confusion, sweating, or increased

heart rate and blood pressure. these may be signs of a condition called
neuroleptic malignant syndrome (nms), a rare but serious side effect which could
be fatal
* abnormal or uncontrollable movements. these may be signs of a serious
condition called tardive dyskinesia, which may be permanent
* elderly: an increased risk of stroke and ministroke has been reported in a
clinical study of elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis
 * diabetes, risk factors for diabetes (for example, obesity, family history of
diabetes), or unexpected increases in thirst, urination, or hunger. increases in
blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia), in some cases serious and associated with coma
or death, have been reported in patients taking medicines like abilify. ask your
healthcare professional about the need to monitor your blood sugar level before
and during treatment

lightheadedness or faintness caused by a sudden change in heart rate and blood

pressure when rising quickly from a sitting or lying position (orthostatic
hypotension) has been reported with abilify. medicines like abilify can affect
your judgment, thinking, or motor skills. you should not drive or operate
hazardous machinery until you know how abilify affects you.

since medicines like abilify can impact your body's ability to reduce body
temperature, you should avoid overheating and dehydration.

medicines like abilify have been associated with swallowing problems (dysphagia).
if you had or have swallowing problems, you should tell your healthcare
professional.

if you have suicidal thoughts, you should tell your healthcare professional right
away.

while taking abilify, avoid:

* drinking alcohol
* breast-feeding an infant

tell your healthcare professional if you have a history of seizures, or are

pregnant or intend to become pregnant, and about all prescription and non-
prescription medicines you are taking or plan to take.

other common side effects include: headache, anxiety, insomnia, nausea, vomiting,
constipation, dizziness, upset stomach, and an inner sense of restlessness or
need to move (akathisia).

for patients who must limit their sugar intake, abilify oral solution contains
sugar.

for patients who cannot metabolize phenylalanine (those with phenylketonuria or

pku), abilify� discmelt� (aripiprazole) contains phenylalanine.