MANIA

SYMPTOMS

4 Elation

4 Excitement

4 Rapid Passing of Ideas

4 Unstable attention span

MANIC-DEPRESSIVE

4 BI-POLAR

BIOCHEMICAL IMBALANCE

4 HIGH NOREPINEPHRINE CONCENTRATION

4 THERAPY WITH LITHIUM

–   Increase reuptake of norepinephrine

LITHIUM PROPERTIES

4 ONSET OF ACTION

–   5 to 6 days, need alternative therapy

4 SIDE EFFECTS - GI upset, tiredness, polydipsia, polyuria, fine hand tremor

4 TOXICITIES

–   Low Therapeutic Index

–   Vomit, profuse diarrhea, convulsions

4 DRUG INTERACTIONS - diuretics

ALTERNATIVE THERAPY

4 Anticonvulsants Useful to Treat Bipolar

–   Carbamazepine (Tegretol®)

–   Divalproex (Depakote®)