These drugs were initially used only for seizure disorders. The following anticonvulsants are now prescribed frequently in the treatment of bipolar disorder and other selected forms of depression:
* Carbamazepine (Tegretol®)
* Divalproex (Depakote®)
* Gabapentin (Neurontin®)
* Lamotrigine (Lamictal®)
* Topiramate (Topamax®)
Anticonvulsants tend to cause hyperinsulinemia (elevated insulin in the blood) and increased appetite leading to weight gain. Hyperinsulinemia also results in increased testosterone, which causes a risk to women on these medications for development of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (POS). Polycystic ovary syndrome can cause weight gain, male pattern baldness, increased facial hair, skin tags, acne, infertility, high blood pressure, abnormal lipid levels, and heart disease.
Seizure disorder studies showed that patients taking anticonvulsants who had either a normal or below normal body mass index had the most severe weight gain.
Conventional Mood Stabilizers
Mood stabilizers were commonly used before anticonvulsants were developed for the treatment of bipolar disorder. Mood stabilizers commonly prescribed consisted primarily of the following:
* Lithium (Cibalith-S®, Duralith®,
* Ekalith®, Eskalith CR®, Lithane®,
* Lithobid®, Lithonate®, Lithotabs®)
Typically, one-third to two-thirds of the patients treated with Lithium gain weight. Of those, 25 percent gain enough weight to be classified as obese. Weight gain is dose dependent, but low doses of lithium (less than .8 mm/L) are often not therapeutic: therefore, low-dose lithium is usually not an alternative.
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Related posts:
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)
- Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders
- About Other Antidepressants
- Bipolar Disorder Treatment Guidelines
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