| For many disorders, bipolar disorder included, there is | | | | Although lithium and valproate appear to have similar |
| not just one but many drug treatments available. | | | | efficacy in treating bipolar disorder, there have been |
| Here are three of the most popular drug treatments | | | | no head to head clinical trials between the two so a |
| currently being used to treat bipolar disease. | | | | definitive conclusion cannot be reached. However, |
| Lithium | | | | because valproate is less stressful to the human |
| Lithium is commonly known as the first mood | | | | body, this may be a natural drug preference for |
| stabilizer. Although it was discovered in 1817, it was | | | | some. |
| not until much later in the century that it was found | | | | A second concern with using valproate is that while it |
| to have mood stabilizing properties, specifically | | | | has been proven to be effective against bipolar |
| anti-manic capabilities. By 1969 it was the preferred | | | | mania, it has been less effective against bipolar |
| method of treating manic depression. | | | | depression. |
| It is not known exactly how lithium works with the | | | | Carbamazepine |
| brain to stabilize moods. It's theorized that those | | | | In Europe, carbamazepine, introduced in the early |
| afflicted with bipolar disease have a chemical | | | | 1960s, is the second most popular drug used for |
| imbalance in the part of the brain that controls | | | | treating bipolar disorder. Although, studies have |
| emotions and that lithium helps to restore the correct | | | | proven it to be effective for bipolar disorder, it has |
| balance. | | | | not been approved worldwide. |
| Today, lithium is usually the first drug treatment | | | | And as with the drug valproate, carbamazepine while |
| attempted when treating bipolar disorder. It is | | | | effective for treating bipolar mania, has also been |
| especially effective if there is a family history of | | | | less effective at treating bipolar depression. |
| bipolar disorder. If a family history does not exist, | | | | Conclusion |
| Lithium tends to be less effective and other | | | | Of the top three drugs used to fight bipolar disease, |
| treatments may be attempted instead. | | | | they all seem to be relatively equal in treating bipolar |
| Recently, because of its toxicity and other negative | | | | mania. However, when it comes to treating bipolar |
| effects, some medical professionals have begun to | | | | depression and in reducing feelings of suicide, lithium |
| shy away from prescribing lithium. | | | | appears to have the clear edge. |
| Valproate | | | | Unfortunately, many of the studies that current |
| In the United States, valproate is the second most | | | | bipolar treatment is based on are 15 or more years |
| popular drug used to fight bipolar disorder. This | | | | old and are very much out of date. |
| seems to be mainly a direct result of the many | | | | Fortunately, the scientific community, recognizing this, |
| lithium side effects and concerns. Even among | | | | is becoming more interested in studying new |
| doctors that prefer lithium as a first choice, valproate | | | | treatments for bipolar mania. There are many medical |
| is usually a strong second choice. Also, as mentioned | | | | trials underway that will test the potential for a new |
| above, lithium is not always effective for treating | | | | class of bipolar drugs and hopefully lead to much |
| bipolar disorder. In these cases, valproate is often | | | | needed help for families dealing with this emotional |
| considered a good alternative treatment. | | | | wrenching disease. |