Bipolar Disorder Drugs

Question 1

Lithium:

Answer 1

● Lithium is only approved for depression associated with bipolar disorder.
● It might also be effective for other kinds of depression when it’s added on to an
antidepressant.

Question 2

Lithium MOA

Answer 2

● Suppresses IP3 and DAG signalling
● Upon administration, lithium becomes widely distributed in the CNS and interacts with a number of neurotransmitters and receptors, decreasing norepinephrine release and increasing serotonin synthesis.

● No sedative effects
● No specific actions of ANS and CNS receptors

Question 3

Lithium Uses

Answer 3

● Bipolar affective disorder

● Prevents mood swings (prophylaxis)

Question 4

Lithium SIDE EFFECTS

Answer 4

● Tremor
● Edema
● Hypothyroidism
● Renal dysfunction
● Polyurea
● Acute kidney damage
● Pregnancy category D
● GI disturbances
● headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dry mouth

Question 5

Lithium C/I

Answer 5

● severe renal or cardiovascular disorders,
● to patients receiving diuretics, since the risk of lithium toxicity is very high in such
patients

Question 6

Bipolar disorder drugs: Examples

Answer 6

Carbamazepine
Lamotrigine
Valproic acid
2nd gen antipsychotics

Question 7

Carbamazepine
Lamotrigine
Valproic acid
2nd gen antipsychotics

USE

Answer 7

● Acute phase in prophylaxis in depressive phase

● Valproic acid competes with lithium as first choice in bipolar disorder, acute phase