Educational reference
Treatment overview
Mood stabilisers are a group of medicines used in bipolar conditions to reduce the severity and frequency of mood episodes, and to provide longer-term stability rather than to treat a single episode.
They differ from one another considerably. Choice depends on the pattern of episodes, other health conditions, other medicines, plans for pregnancy, and how a person has responded previously. Some require regular blood tests to monitor levels or organ function; where that applies it is a standard part of treatment rather than a sign of concern.
Benefit is usually judged over months rather than days, and treatment is often continued after recovery specifically to prevent relapse.
Stopping suddenly carries a recognised risk of relapse, so changes are normally planned with a prescriber rather than made independently.
MOMD does not recommend any particular medicine and does not advise starting, stopping or changing treatment. Those decisions belong with the person and their prescriber.