Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

What Are The Adverse Effects Of A Mood Stabilizer?

I just saw a psychiatrist who believes that I may be bipolar. He wants to put me on a mood stabilizer, like lithium. I don t believe that I am bipolar. I m pretty sure that I have persistent depressive disorder, but my psychiatrist doesn t believe that disorder exists, so the only other option, in his mind, is bipolar. If I m not bipolar, will taking a mood stabilizer cause me any harm? I had a strong adverse reaction to Wellbutrin/bupropion (auditory hallucinations), but I took Lexapro(escitalopram) and it worked well for me, but after a few months it stopped having any effect on my depression.
posted on Fri, 16 Mar 2018
Twitter Tue, 24 Jul 2018 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 25 Jul 2018 Last reviewed on
Report Abuse
General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

There are several medications that is used as mood stabilizer including lithium. Important adverse effects of Lithium include renal toxicity, thyroid dysfunction. At toxic doses Lithium can cause unsteady gait, blurred vision, tremors, acute kidney failure. So it is important to monitor lithium levels every 2 weeks initially followed by once a month. Kidney and thyroid function tests also need to be monitored.

Regards,

Dr. Lekshmi
I find this answer helpful
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Loading Online Doctors....
What Are The Adverse Effects Of A Mood Stabilizer?

Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. There are several medications that is used as mood stabilizer including lithium. Important adverse effects of Lithium include renal toxicity, thyroid dysfunction. At toxic doses Lithium can cause unsteady gait, blurred vision, tremors, acute kidney failure. So it is important to monitor lithium levels every 2 weeks initially followed by once a month. Kidney and thyroid function tests also need to be monitored. Regards, Dr. Lekshmi