Expert: Libby Bonner - 9/30/2007

Question
I was put on 20mg of celexa and 1/2 tablet of 5mg of abilify are those the right medications to treat a very mild case of bipolar II disorder? I thought is was used to treat type one?

Answer
I believe the usual cornerstones of tx for bipolar II would be either lithium or lamictal + a mood stablizer like Depakote or Tegretol.  [NOTE - big weight gain w/ Depakote.]

Psychiatric med therapy tends to be somewhat regional in the US, w/ docs within on area favoring lithium over lamictac, for instance, or vice versa.  I say this because the addition of abilify may be usual where you live, and not necessarily inappropriate, but maybe more appropriate if your disorder was more symptomatic or disabling.

About the Celexa.  I don't know.  It would be used very cautiously, if at all, w/ Biopolar I, I believe.   It could go, again cautiously, into a plan for II.

How long have you been on the 2 meds?  Are these your first meds?  Have they helped?  Does your doc follow you carefuly after any med or med/dose change?  Your answers to those Qs may help you decide if you are OK, and in good hands.

www.nami.org has fact sheets on the various psych meds, developed w/ input from the College of Psychiatric [and Something] Pharmacists....not a 'college', but a professional group whose specialization is the the use of psychotropic meds.

A drugstore pharmacist who even has special training in Clinical Pharmacy could provide some info, but your best source is your own doc.  S/he should be very very willing to discuss his/her meds choices w/ you and be willing to hear your opinions and concerns.

Thanks for writing.