Products
Mood stabilizers are commercially available in the form of tablets, dispersible tablets, and solutions, among others. The best-known active ingredient in this group is lithium.
Structure and properties
Mood stabilizers are organic molecules (antiepileptic drugs) and salts (lithium).
Effects
The agents have mood-stabilizing properties, meaning that they are active against depressive and manic episodes, prevent them, and reduce mood swings. The effects are based on influencing different neurotransmitter systems. Mood stabilizers are also partially active at ion channels (e.g., sodium channels, calcium channels) and reduce the excitability of neurons. The mechanisms of action differ from other psychotropic drugs.
Indications
Mood stabilizers are mainly used for the prevention and treatment of bipolar disorder (depression and mania).
Active Ingredients
For detailed information, see active ingredients:
- Carbamazepine (Tegretol, generic).
- Gabapentin (Neurontin, generic, off-label use).
- Lamotrigine (Lamictal, generic).
- Lithium (e.g., Quilonorm, Priadel, Lithiofor).
- Valproic acid (Depakine, generics).
- Some neuroleptics, such as quetiapine, have mood-stabilizing properties.
Dosage
According to the professional information. The dose is adjusted individually. Therapy is started creeping in and stopped creeping out. Effects usually occur with a time delay.
Contraindications
For complete precautions, see the drug label.
Interactions
Mood stabilizers have a high potential for drug-drug interactions. For example, carbamazepine is a potent inducer of CYP3A4 isozymes.
Adverse effects
Potential adverse effects of mood stabilizers include (general selection):
