TREATMENT OPTIONS

Mood Stabilizers

Mood stabilizers are most likely to be effective in treating manic excitement. These medications are frequently used to treat such mental disorders as depressive disorders, mania, and schizophrenia. Lithium, carbamazepine (Tegretol), and valproate are the common mood stabilizers used for treatment.

With lithium, blood levels must be closely monitored and possible side effects include vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, muscle weakness, and incoordination.

In the case of carbamazepine being prescribed, the physician should obtain baseline kidney and liver function tests and monitor their functions periodically. Among the possible side effects, are dizziness, drowsiness, unsteadiness, nausea, vomiting, rashes, and photosensitivity. These medications should not be used with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

As with carbamazepine, a liver function baseline should be established and liver function monitored while taking valproate. Possible side effects include nausea, vomiting, sedation, skin rash, hair loss, photosensitivity, depression, and behavior changes.