Table 3:
Dosing and relative side effects of medications used for treatment of bipolar
disorder.
Medication |
Initial
Dosing (mg)* |
Typical
Therapeutic Dose Range (mg) |
Weight
Gain, Glucose, and Lipid Abnormalities |
QTc
Prolongation |
Hypotension |
Sedation |
Anticholinergic
Effects |
Mood
Stabilizers: Lithium |
1800 |
900 - 1800 Level (mania): 1 - 1.5 mEq/L Level (maintenance): 0.6
- 1.2 mEq/L |
+ |
0 |
0 |
0/+ |
0/+ |
Anticonvulsants: Valproic Acid |
750 |
Up to 60 mg/kg/day Level: 50 - 125 cg/mL |
+ |
0 |
+ |
++ |
0/+ |
Lamotrigine |
25 |
100 - 200 |
+ |
0 |
0 |
+ |
++ |
Atypical
Antipsychotics: Aripiprazole |
30 |
10 - 30 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0/+ |
0 |
Risperidone |
3 |
2 - 8 |
++ |
+ |
0 |
+ |
0 |
Olanzapine |
10 - 15 |
10 - 30 |
+++ |
0 |
+ |
++ |
++ |
Quetiapine |
100 |
300 - 800 |
++ |
+ |
+ |
++ |
++ |
Ziprasidone |
80 |
120 - 200 |
0 |
++ |
0 |
+ |
0 |
0
= No risk or rarely causes side effects at therapeutic dose. + = Mild or occasionally causes side effects
at therapeutic dose. ++ = Sometimes
causes side effects at therapeutic dose.
+++ = Frequently causes side effects at therapeutic dose.
*Lower starting doses may be indicated
for elderly patients, patients with hepatic or renal impairment, or patients
taking other medications with potential drug-drug interactions.