FDA and/or Clinical Practice Guidelines Approved Pharmacological Treatment Options for Bipolar II Disorder
There are multiple FDA-approved pharmacological treatment options for bipolar II disorder for children, adults, and special patient grounds, such as pregnant and post-partum women for acute and mixed treatments as well as for maintenance treatment. FDA-approved medications for acute and mixed episodes include mood stabilizers, anticonvulsants, and atypical antipsychotics. For children and adolescents aged between 10 and 17, FDA-approved medications include lithium for those above 12 years and aripiprazole, quetiapine, risperidone, and olanzapine for those above 13 years old. Several medication options for adult populations have also been approved for maintenance treatment, including mood stabilizers such as lithium, antipsychotics such as olanzapine and risperidone, and antidepressants and antidepressant-antipsychotic medications. Psychotherapy and psychosocial support are also approved treatment options for bipolar II disorder by clinical practice guidelines for major mental illnesses (Marzani & Neff, 2021).
Side Effects, FDA Approvals, and Warnings of Medication Treatment Options
The major side effects and warnings of the FDA-approved treatment options for treating bipolar II disorder vary across specific medications. However, major side effects may include sedation, GI issues, increased weight gain, instances of tremors, and mood and metabolic changes. Monitoring is recommended as the side effects may vary from patient to patient, while certain medications such as lithium and other atypical antipsychotics have warnings as they may increase the risk of suicide and suicidal behaviors (Nabi et al., 2022).
How to Write a Proper Prescription for Bipolar II Disorder
Sample Prescriptions
Patient Name: T. K.
Gender: Male
D.O.B.: 12/4/1967
Medication: Lithium Carbonate 300 mg
Quantity: 60 tablets
Instructions: One tablet taken orally twice daily. Drink plenty of water up to 12 a day.
Patient Name: H. M.
Gender: Male
D.O.B: 7/8/2008
Medication: Aripiprazole (oral)
Dosage forms: Oral tablet, disintegrating (15 mg)
Instructions: 15 mg taken orally once daily. Do not split the tablet. You can take it with or without food.
Patient Name: S. L.
Gender: Female
D.O.B.: 11/12/1991
Medication: Lamotrigine (Oral)
Dosage: Oral disintegrating tablet (100 mg)
Instructions: One tablet is taken orally once a day. Take the medication in the morning.
Conclusion
Bipolar II illness is a common mental disorder. This practice guideline has provided a comprehensive discussion of the disorder’s prevalence rate across various population groups, neurobiology, diagnostic and symptom differences with bipolar II disorder, and special populations and unique considerations for care. It has also provided available FDA- and practice guidelines-approved pharmacological treatment options and various methods of writing prescriptions for medications for treating bipolar II disorder. In conclusion, diagnosing and managing bipolar II disorder requires a personalized approach with consideration for the legality, ethics, and a patient’s culture when selecting treatment options.
References
Abrams, Z. (2020). Treating bipolar disorder in kids and teens. In APA (Vol. 57, Issue 7, p. 40).
American Psychiatric Association. (2021). Diagnostic and Statistical Manu – Diagnostic Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5-TR). American Psychiatric Association Publishing. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1K9nOTLZLKWaaVz231Xylxy_KJtEpsZnM/view