Common Medications Used for Bipolar Disorder Not intended as medical advice. Dosages may vary depending on physician. Please check with your doctor if you have any concerns,  and do not alter your child's medication on your own. Mood Stabilizers:     Brand Name Chemical / Generic Name Typical starting dose for children (per day) Typical target dose for children (per day) Therapeutic serum level (for bipolar) Classification Lithobid (300mg tablets) Lithium Carbonate ER (300mg tablets) 150 to 300 mg determined by serum level 0.6 to 1.5 0.8 to 1.2 optimum mineral Eskalith (450mg tablets) Lithium Carbonate ER (450mg tablets) usually not a starting medication - lithium carbonate or Lithobid is preferred to start determined by serum level 0.6 to 1.5 0.8 to 1.2 optimum mineral none Lithium Carbonate, Lithium Citrate (oral suspension) 150 to 300 mg or 5 ml determined by serum level 0.6 to 1.5 0.8 to 1.2 optimum mineral Depakote, Depakene Valproic Acid 125 to 250 mg determined by serum level 80 to 120 over 100 optimum AED (Anti-epileptic drug) Tegretol, Carbatrol Carbamazepine 300 mg determined by serum level 8 to 12 over 10 optimum AED Lamictal Lamotrigine 12.5 mg 100 to 250 mg none AED Trileptal Oxcarbazepine 150 to 300 mg (600 mg or 1.5 times Tegretol dosage if switching from Tegretol) up to 2400 mg 25 to 35 AED Topamax Topiramate 12.5 to 25 mg up to 100 mg none AED Gabitril Tiagibine none AED Keppra Levetiracetam 500 mg up to 3000 mg none AED Zonegran Zonisamide none AED Gabitril Tiagabine 2 to 4 mg up to 12 mg none AED Antipsychotics (Neuroleptics) Brand Name Chemical Name Typical starting dose for children (per day) Typical target dose for children (per day) Classification Abilify Aripiprazole 2.5 to 5 mg up to 30 mg Antipsychotic (atypical - third generation) Geodon Ziprasodone 20 mg up to 160 mg Antipsychotic (atypical) Seroquel Quetiapine 25 mg up to 800 mg 300 to 500 mg is typical Antipsychotic (atypical) Zyprexa Olanzapine 2.5 mg up to 22.5 mg Antipsychotic (atypical) Risperdal Risperedone .25 mg up to 8 mg 2 to 5 mg is typical Antipsychotic (atypical) Clozaril Clozapine Antipsychotic (atypical) Thorazine Chlorpromazine Antipsychotic (traditional) Haldol Haloperidol Antipsychotic (traditional) Mellaril Thioridazine Antipsychotic (traditional) Stelazine Trifluoperazine Antipsychotic (traditional) Trilafon Perphenazine Antipsychotic (traditional) Navane Thiothixene Antipsychotic (traditional) Prolixin Fluphenazine Antipsychotic (traditional) Orap Pimozide Antipsychotic (traditional) Antidepressants (please see warning page) Brand Name Chemical Name Classification Prozac Fluoxetine SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) Zoloft Sertraline SSRI Paxil Paroxetine SSRI Celexa Citalopram SSRI Lexapro Escitalopram SSRI Luvox Fluvoxamine SSRI Effexor Venlafaxine SSRI, SNRI (selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor), SDRI (selective dopamine reuptake inhibitor) Serzone Nefazodone SARI (serotonin antagonist reuptake inhibitor) Remeron Mirtazapine SA/NARI (serotonin antagonist, norepinephrine antiagonist reuptake inhibitor) Wellbutrin Buproprion NDRI (norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor) Tofranil Imipramine Tricyclic Trazodone Desyrel Tricyclic Pamelor Nortriptyline Tricyclic Elavil Amtriptyline Tricyclic Norpramine Desipramine Tricyclic Nardil Phenelzine MAOI (mono amine oxidase inhibitor) Parnate Tranylcypromine MAOI (mono amine oxidase inhibitor) Marplan Isocarboxazid MAOI (mono amine oxidase inhibitor) Anxiolytics (Anxiety Medications) Brand Name Chemical Name Classification Buspar Buspirone Novel Anxiolytic Inderal Propanolol Beta Blocker Tenormin Atenolol Beta Blocker Gabitril Tiagabine AED Neurontin Gabapentin AED Vistaril, Atarax Hydroxizine Antihistamine Klonopin Clonazepam Benzodiazepine Ativan Lorazepam Benzodiazepine Xanax Alprazolam Benzodiazepine Valium Diazepam Benzodiazepine Zoloft Sertraline SSRI Paxil Paroxetine SSRI Psychostimulants / Attention Medications (please see warning page) Brand Name Chemical Name Classification Ritalin, Concerta Methylphenidate psychostimulant Dexedrine Dextro-amphetamine psychostimulant Adderall psychostimulant Focalin psychostimulant Provigil Modafinil Aricept cognition enhancer Excelon cognition enhancer Reminyl cognition enhancer Strattera Atomoxetine SNRI (selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor)