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Depakote Causes Weight Gain In Over 50% of Users?

Depakote (divalproex sodium) is a medication regularly prescribed for the management of epilepsy, bipolar disorder, and migraine headaches.  Other medical conditions for which Depakote is occasionally utilized as a complementary (i.e. adjunct) therapy include: AIDS, cancer, dopamine dysregulation syndrome (associated with Parkinson’s disease), schizophrenia. Most who are familiar with this drug understand that Depakote (divalproex …

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Lamictal & Weight Gain vs. Loss: What Should You Expect?

Lamictal (lamotrigine) is an anticonvulsant medication prescribed for the prophylaxis and/or management of epilepsy and bipolar disorder.  Research suggests that Lamictal modifies neurochemistry by: inhibiting voltage-gated sodium channels, blocking various calcium channels (L-type; N-type; P-type), antagonizing sigma and 5-HT3 receptors, upregulating GABA signaling, and suppressing the release of glutamate and aspartate.  Through the aforementioned mechanisms …

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Lithium & Weight Gain: How Much? (And Why It Happens)

Lithium is a naturally occurring element that’s commonly prescribed in the format of “lithium carbonate” for the prophylaxis and/or management of bipolar disorder.  Additionally, lithium is sometimes prescribed as an adjunct to treat refractory cases of major depressive disorder and schizophrenia.  Throughout treatment, lithium is understood to modulate numerous aspects of a user’s neurophysiology to …

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Vraylar (Cariprazine) Approved For Schizophrenia & Bipolar Disorder

Vraylar (Cariprazine) was approved by the FDA on September 17, 2015 for the treatment of schizophrenia and mania associated with bipolar disorder.  In clinical trials, the drug was referenced as “RGH-188” – containing Cariprazine as the primary active ingredient.  The drug had completed Phase III clinical trials in 2012, and was pending FDA approval for …

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3 New Bipolar Medications (2015): Drugs In Clinical Trials

Bipolar disorder is a condition characterized by cyclical mood swings, transitioning from depression to mania (or hypomania).  For a period of time, an individual with bipolar disorder will experience debilitating bouts of depression – and often unexpectedly, their entire neurophysiology will shift to facilitate a state of mania (elevated mood).  Diagnostically, there are multiple types …

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Have You Been Misdiagnosed with Bipolar 2 Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is characterized by uncontrollable mood swings typically from a depressed state of functioning to either mania or hypomania. Most people with Bipolar disorder tend to have a genetic predisposition to the illness, but even those without a genetic predisposition can develop it. The trend in society among psychiatrists and mental health professionals is …

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