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Introduction
Illustrated mechanism of action
Examples of Medication Brand Names (with Images)
Indication
Side Effects
Precautions & Contraindications
Monographs
Reference
Yellow Blue and Pink Modern Retro Shapes Welcome Back to School Banner.mp4✨Introduction
✨Introduction
Mood stabilizers are a class of medications primarily used to treat mood disorders, especially bipolar disorder. These medications help regulate extreme mood swings, preventing episodes of mania (excessive excitement or energy) and depression. Mood stabilizers can also be used in the treatment of other psychiatric conditions, such as schizoaffective disorder and certain personality disorders.
Mechanism of Action
Mechanism of Action
Mood stabilizers work by targeting various neurotransmitter systems and intracellular signaling pathways in the brain to stabilize mood and prevent extreme shifts. The mechanisms vary depending on the specific drug
Mood stabilizers work by targeting various neurotransmitter systems and intracellular signaling pathways in the brain to stabilize mood and prevent extreme shifts. The mechanisms vary depending on the specific drug
Blocks voltage-gated sodium channels.
• Enhances GABA (an inhibitory neurotransmitter).
• Inhibits glutamate (an excitatory neurotransmitter).
• Effect: Reduces excessive neuronal firing, stabilizing mood especially in bipolar disorder.
lithium mechanism of Action
lithium mechanism of Action
Modulates second messenger systems like IP3 and DAG.
• Affects sodium and calcium ion transport in neurons
•Reduces degradation of norepinephrine and dopamin
• Effect: Helps reduce both manic and depressive episodes by stabilizing neuronal activity.
Medication Brand Names
Medication Brand Names
Depakine
(sodium valproate)
Tegretol
(carbamazepin)
Lamictal
(lamotrigine)
LICAB
(lithium carbonate)
Indication
Indication
Mood stabilizers are primarily used to manage and treat mood disorders. Here are the main indications:
1. Bipolar Disorder
Mania and hypomania: To reduce symptoms like elevated mood, increased activity, irritability.
Depressive episodes: To prevent or treat the lows associated with bipolar disorder.
Maintenance therapy: To prevent mood swings and stabilize long-term mood.
2. Schizoaffective Disorder
Especially in the bipolar type, mood stabilizers help manage manic or depressive components.
3. Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Sometimes used off-label to reduce mood instability, impulsivity, and anger (though evidence is mixed).
4. Aggression and Impulsivity
Off-label use in certain cases of intermittent explosive disorder, conduct disorder, or personality disorders.
5. Depression (Adjunctive Use)
In treatment-resistant depression, mood stabilizers (like lithium) may be added to antidepressants.
Side Effect
Side Effect
Precautions
Precautions
Mood stabilizers are used primarily to treat mood disorders like bipolar disorder, but they come with important precautions. Here are key ones:
1. Regular Monitoring: Some mood stabilizers (like lithium or valproate) require regular blood tests to monitor drug levels, kidney, liver, and thyroid function.
2. Hydration and Salt Intake: For lithium, it's crucial to maintain stable salt and fluid intake to avoid toxicity.
3. Drug Interactions: Mood stabilizers can interact with many other medications, including NSAIDs, diuretics, and some antidepressants.
4. Pregnancy Risk: Some mood stabilizers (e.g., valproate, carbamazepine) can cause birth defects and should be avoided or used with caution during pregnancy.
5. Side Effects Awareness: Be aware of potential side effects like tremors, weight gain, gastrointestinal issues, or cognitive dulling, and report any unusual symptoms to your doctor.
6. Alcohol and Substance Use: Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs, which can worsen mood symptoms and interact negatively with the medications.
7. Sudden Discontinuation: Do not stop mood stabilizers abruptly, as this can cause withdrawal symptoms or mood episode relapse.
Contraindications
Contraindications
Contraindications for mood stabilizers depend on the specific medication, but here are common ones categorized by major classes:
1. Lithium
Renal impairment: Lithium is excreted by the kidneys and can worsen kidney function.
Cardiovascular disease: Risk of arrhythmias.
Dehydration or sodium depletion: Can increase lithium levels and toxicity.
Pregnancy: Especially in the first trimester (risk of Ebstein's anomaly).
Thyroid disease: Can exacerbate hypothyroidism.
2. Valproate (Divalproex, Valproic Acid)
Liver disease: Risk of hepatotoxicity.
Pregnancy: High teratogenic risk (e.g., neural tube defects).
Mitochondrial disorders: Particularly POLG mutations.
History of pancreatitis.
3. Carbamazepine
Bone marrow suppression: Risk of aplastic anemia and agranulocytosis.
Liver disease.
Cardiac conduction abnormalities.
Pregnancy: Teratogenic (e.g., neural tube defects).
HLA-B*1502 allele: Especially in Asian populations (risk of Stevens-Johnson syndrome).
4. Lamotrigine
History of rash with other anticonvulsants.
Caution in liver or kidney impairment.
Concurrent use with valproate: Increases risk of severe skin reactions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
Monograph
Monograph
Lamotrigine.pdfAbo Elazm.pdfألاء عبدالحميد.pdfPharma activity.pdfReference
Reference
www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/mood-stabilizing-medication
https://openstax.org/books/pharmacology/pages/13-3-mood-stabilizers?utm_source=perplexity
https://www.psychdb.com/meds/mood-stabilizers-anticonvulsants/home
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/mood-stabilizers
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