What Is A Mood Stabilizer?Seizure medications are often used to control mood, aggression, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. They are also used to treat bipolar disorder, seizures and ADHD which may occur with autism. Common side effects for lithium include nausea, vomiting, increased thirst, frequent urination, and weight gain. More serious side effects include thyroid dysfunction and kidney damage. Blood tests and cardiac monitoring are vital when taking lithium. Signs of lithium toxicity include confusion, dizziness, blurred vision with yellow coloration, slurred speech, and irregular heart rate. Seek emergency care immediately if you experience these symptoms. Several mood stabilizers are listed below. Lithium is the only medication listed which is not an anticonvulsant medication.
Lithium has been shown to decrease suicide risk. Lithium may be used with the seizure medications. Lithium can also cause inositol deficiencies. Therefore, a good vitamin B complex supplement is extremely important. Carbamazine may cause double or blurred vision, rash, gastrointestinal problems, drowsiness, gait disturbance, and dizziness. Since it may also cause bone marrow suppression, blood testing is required. Drug interactions can also be a problem. Valproic acid and divalproex sodium also require blood testing due to the risk of lowered blood count, liver inflammation and pancreatitis. Other side effects include headache, weight gain, confusion, sedation, dizziness, gastrointestinal problems and double vision. The other newer mood stabilizers cause fewer side effects. However, all of the seizure medications cause deficiencies of various B vitamins (folic acid, biotin, vitamin B1, vitamin B12 ), calcium, vitamin D, carnitine and vitamin K. You should take an appropriate vitamin B complex supplement and whole food supplements with these medications. Please discuss these medications with your physician and pharmacist if you have further questions.
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