Mood Stabilizer Resource Library

Patient education handouts for mood stabilizing medications — from Renee Reece, ARNP, PMHNP-BC

What are mood stabilizers? Mood stabilizers are medications used primarily to treat and prevent the extreme mood episodes associated with bipolar disorder — including mania, hypomania, mixed episodes, and bipolar depression. Many are also anticonvulsants originally developed for epilepsy. Each mood stabilizer has a unique profile: some are better for preventing mania, others for preventing depression, and some require close lab monitoring while others do not. Click any medication below to learn more about how it works, what to expect, and what to watch for.

Available Medication Handouts

Medication Education · Mood Stabilizer

Lithium (Lithobid)

The gold standard mood stabilizer with the strongest evidence base. The only medication proven to reduce suicidality in bipolar disorder. Requires regular blood level monitoring.

Bipolar I Bipolar II Suicidality Mania

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Medication Education · Mood Stabilizer / Anticonvulsant

Valproate (Depakote)

Highly effective for acute mania and mixed episodes. Often preferred for rapid cycling or mixed features. Requires liver and platelet monitoring. Contraindicated in pregnancy.

Bipolar I Mania Mixed Episodes Rapid Cycling

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Medication Education · Mood Stabilizer / Anticonvulsant

Lamotrigine (Lamictal)

The best-tolerated mood stabilizer — no weight gain, no blood level monitoring. Uniquely effective for preventing bipolar depression. Requires slow titration to avoid serious rash.

Bipolar Depression Bipolar I Bipolar II Maintenance

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Medication Education · Mood Stabilizer / Anticonvulsant

Carbamazepine (Tegretol)

Effective for acute mania especially when lithium has not worked. Many drug interactions due to enzyme induction. Requires genetic testing in Asian patients before starting.

Bipolar I Mania Seizures Treatment-Resistant

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