Main content Mood Stabilizers for Child and Teen Bipolar Disorder

Mood Stabilizers for Child and Teen Bipolar Disorder

How Well It Works

Mood stabilizers have been well studied in adults, but there are currently few studies in children.

Lithium

Limited research shows that lithium is safe and may be effective in reducing symptoms of bipolar disorder in children.^{Reference 1}

Divalproex

Studies of divalproex show it to be promising as a safe and effective treatment for children with mania due to bipolar disorder.^{Reference 1}

Carbamazepine

Carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant medicine which may be effective as a mood stabilizer in children and teens with bipolar disorder.^{Reference 2}

Lamotrigine

Research shows that lamotrigine is effective in treating both depression and mania in adults with bipolar disorder.^{Reference 3}

By:	Reference Healthwise Staff	Last Revised: April 12, 2011
Medical Review:	Reference John Pope, MD - Pediatrics Reference David A. Axelson, MD - Child and Adolescent Psychiatry