Brief Answer:
Please see below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX
Thanks for writing back.
I am sorry to have disappointed you by picking up your question, I did that on purpose so that you don't get misled by general misconception even among doctors who study modern evidence based medicine about ayurveda, particularly of Indian origin, a great majority of Indian doctors are quite frankly in support of outdated systems of medicine such as
homeopathy and ayurveda, which have been on many occasions been proved to be nothing more than placebos at best and very detrimental in certain cases, to say the least.
Now to answer your question.
Modern medicine is an ever expanding universe of knowledge, and controlled clinical trials are underway which are studying quite a few medicines for use in bipolar affective disorder, I will list out a few of the promising medicines that are currently being investigated to treat
bipolar disorder.
1. Tamoxifen: It is an antiestrogen, it inhibits the
protein kinase C (PKC), findings suggest that activation of this PKC cascade is responsible for release of
neurotransmitter Dopamine, which is responsible for mania in bipolar disorder, so by inhibiting that pathway, it will enhance the effects of Lithium, as an adjunct therapy, Tamoxifen has shown very positive results in a recent randomized, double blinded control trial, but more studies need to be done on the long term use of this medicine.
2. Pentazocine: Manic symptoms were reduced 1 hour after each dose (44% after the first dose, and 41% after the second dose).
3. Allopurinol: Has also shown very positive results in the initial trails and is currently is under investigation for long term, maintenance therapy.
4. N-
acetylcysteine (NAC): In patients with BP, a subgroup analysis found that NAC led to remission of manic symptoms. Most studies, however, suggest that NAC has more robust effects on depressive symptoms.
However, important point to take home is that, still the drug of choice for mood stabilizing is LITHIUM, and in the proper therapeutic doses, it does not cause any major side effects which you are worried about.
As you must be knowing, bipolar disorder includes both phases of
depression and mania, so each phase will be treated with suitable antidepressants or antipsychotics till the crisis subsides.
I could list all the references and more drugs that are under investigation, but I think it is beyond the scope of this discussion and frankly a burden on your part to know all that.
I hope I have done justice to your question and I would be delighted to help you further if you need it.
Wishing you happy life and good health.
Warm regards.
Note: For further guidance on mental health,
Click here.