Learning library · Medication education
Mood stabilizersSteadying the highs and lows
What mood stabilizers do, why lab monitoring matters for some, and the steadiness they're meant to support over time.
What mood stabilizers are
Mood stabilizers are medicines used mainly to treat bipolar disorder. They help even out the highs of mania and the lows of depression, and help prevent new episodes over time.
The best known is lithium. Some seizure medicines are also used as mood stabilizers, such as valproate, lamotrigine, and carbamazepine, and so are some newer antipsychotic medicines, which have a video of their own. This video is general education. Your own plan is something you and your provider decide together.
What to expect
Mood stabilizers are usually taken long-term, because preventing the next episode is part of their job. Finding the right one, or the right combination, can take some time.
Tracking your mood, sleep, and energy helps you and your provider see how it's working. The Daily log in your portal is a good place for that.
Lithium safety
Lithium works within a narrow range, so you'll have regular blood tests to check its level, along with your kidneys and thyroid. Keep those lab appointments.
Lithium levels can rise when your body loses water and salt, like with heavy sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea, and some medicines, including certain pain relievers and blood pressure medicines, can raise them too. Tell your provider about every medicine you take, and let them know when you're sick.
Get help right away for signs the level may be too high: vomiting or diarrhea, worsening shakiness or muscle twitches, dizziness, weakness, or slurred speech.
Other mood stabilizers
Lamotrigine can rarely cause a serious rash. Call your provider right away if any rash appears, especially in the first weeks.
Valproate can cause serious liver or pancreas problems, so your provider may check blood tests. It can also cause serious birth defects, so if you could become pregnant, talk with your provider about it before starting, and about birth control. Some mood stabilizers, including lithium, carry pregnancy risks too.
Each medicine has its own side effects and checks. Common ones include tiredness, nausea, weight changes, and a slight tremor. Mention any that bother you.
Working together
Don't stop a mood stabilizer suddenly on your own. Symptoms can come back, and stopping some of these medicines all at once can cause other problems. If you're struggling with side effects, or feel unsafe, reach out. In a crisis, call or text 988, any time.
Everything here is general information, not medical advice for you. Talk with your provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medicine.
3 min · captions with the CC button · 5 chapters · animated diagrams