Quote:

Hasn't lithium been somewhat superceded by newer drugs?



Kinda.

That is why I mentioned needing to find an older GP ho will work with it.

As far as bi-polar treatment in Canada it and only 1 other drug, lamictal are approved for treating bi-polar on-label.

Valproic acid or depakote is used also but just doesn't work for me. Same deal with rispridal.

Yes, lithium seems a bit out gunned and will fry your kidneys over time but it works pretty well keeping some of us out of jail.


EDIT: Thing is that if you can become stable on lithium you know the side effects and will also know what it will do to you because it is a relatively old drug.

Younger docs have been quick to prescribe for me things that had really unacceptable side effects like sensitivity to light.

Lithium is outgunned in some respects but not outclassed as a treatment. Most of the the other drugs they use are for treating seizures and not really meant for actual mania.


Edited by conquistador (08/13/09 10:03 PM)
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