Suggest Mood Stabilizer Medication That Does Not Cause Fatigue And Weight Gain

Posted on Mon, 24 Jul 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 24 Jul 2017 Answered on

Wed, 16 Aug 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, I asked my new psychiatric nurse practioner for a mood stabilizer that doesn't cause fatigue or weight gain. She came back and said that according to my list i've been on all of them. Then she asked which one worked best. I honestly don't know. Do you know any that are least likely to cause weight gain and fatigue. I've been treated for bipolar for 19 years. During all of that time, I didn't hardly get out of bed. I regularly spent 18-22 hours in bed. I also went from 130 pounds to 215 pounds.

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Topiramate can become a good option.

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM

I can understand your concern. Most of mood stabiliser drugs are known to result in fatigue, sedation and weight gain. Valproic Acid, Carbamazepine, Lithium are commonly associated with these side effects.

But if you haven't tried then Topiramate can become a good option. The drug even helps in reducing the weight and is associated with minimal sedation. A lot of individuals find the drug better compared to other mood stabilisers if fatigue or tiredness is considered.

You can talk with your doctor for this drug.

Thanks and Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar