Mood stabilisers

Many of the drugs used to treat bipolar disorder can be considered to stabilise specific mood phases. Based on current evidence, lithium and perhaps sodium valproate are the only drugs effective for both acute treatment and the prevention of future episodes. Quetiapine might also have true mood stabilising properties. Other anticonvulsants and antipsychotics have evidence to show that they stabilise certain mood states or illness trajectories. They may be used in acute treatment of bipolar disorder, but there is less evidence for their role in maintenance treatment to prevent recurrence.