Hello. Are there any new
medications in the works for bipolar? I am currently on lithium and risperal. Lithium is not good long term and I want to
be on a medicine that doesn't effect my organs. Thank you for your time.
Lena
Lena,
There are some new medications in the works for bipolar, however none
that are close to coming to the
market. Lithium and Depakote are
still the mainstays of treatment. I
understand your concern about the
possible side effects of the Lithium
on kidney and thyroid function. Depakote
has less end organ effects but can
affect the liver initially. Some of
the newer antipsychotics such as
Abilify and Seroquel (as well as the
Risperdal you are on) have shown to
be of benefit in stabilizing bipolar
disorder, but they are not stand
alone treatments. Lamictal has been
approved for the treatment of
bipolar depression but hasn't shown
any effect for long term maintenance
treatment of bipolar illness. The
choices are not easy, but I would
recommend staying with the Lithium
if you can tolerate it and closely
monitor your kidney/thyroid
function.