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Search and rate treatments to help others like you. Find out More...Top 10 Side Effects of Mood Stabilizers
The following is a list of the most frequently encountered side effects experienced by patients taking mood stabilizers and the medications that often cause them.
| Side effect | Medication | How to control side effects |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Drowsiness | Carbamazepine Oxcarbazepine Valproate Lamotragine Topiramate |
Take dose at bedtime If condition is stable talk to doctor about whether a lower dose would be ok |
| 2.Upset stomach | Diarrhea Lithium Valproic Acid Carbamazepine Oxcarbazepine |
Lamotrigine Take with food. Start the medication slowly Take coated tablet if one is available Take in divided doses rather than one dose Ask the physician is a lower dose is possible |
| 3. Tremor | Lithium Valproic acid |
Take in divided doses See if lower dose is required |
| 4. Headache Oxcarbazepine | Valproate Lamotrigine Topiramate |
Divide the dose Take with food Take a pain medication |
| 5. Rash Carbamazepine | Oxcarbazepine Valporic acid Lithium |
Lamotrigine Rash may be mild to severe. Stop medication and contact physician immediately. |
| 6. Dizziness | All mood stabilizers | Have the blood level of the medication checked Take in divided doses rather than once daily Stand up slowly |
| 7. Confusion | Topiramate Lithium Valproic Acid |
Doctor may choose another medication Doctor may want to check dose level |
| 8. Weight gain | Olanzapine Quetiapine Risperidone Valproic acid |
Lithium Doctor may choose another medication Make healthy food choices Try to exercise 5 or more times weekly |
| 9. Muscle stiffness, restlessness, tremor while at rest | Clozapine Risperidone Olanzapine Aripiprazole | Doctor may choose another medication or lower the dose. Benztropine or diphenhydramine may be added to control symptoms |
| 10. High blood sugar high cholesterol levels | Clozapine Risperidone Olanzapine Quetiapine |
Have blood sugar and cholesterol levels monitored every three months Make healthy food choices |