Mood stabilizers: Mood stabilizers, other drugs and driving

^{From: Understanding psychiatric medications: Mood stabilizers - Information for consumers, families and friends (© 2009 CAMH)}

Will mood stabilizers interact with other medications?

Some medications can affect the blood levels of mood stabilizers, meaning your dose of mood stabilizer may have to be adjusted while you are taking the other medication. Mood stabilizers, especially carbamazepine, may also reduce the effectiveness of some other drugs. Always make sure your doctor or dentist knows about any drugs you are taking when he or she prescribes another medication. It’s also important to check with your pharmacist before using any over-the-counter medication, including pain or herbal remedies, cold or allergy tablets, or cough syrups.

What if I drink coffee or alcohol while taking mood stabilizers?

Drinking coffee or other beverages that contain caffeine can lower lithium levels and increase tremor. If you want to dramatically change how much caffeine you have in a day (e.g., cutting back from four cups to one cup of coffee a day), check with your doctor or pharmacist first to see if your mood stabilizer dose should be adjusted.

People with bipolar disorder are generally advised to avoid alcohol. This is recommended because:

• Drinking alcohol can worsen depression and further impair judgment in mania.
• Many people with bipolar disorder develop addiction problems with alcohol and other drugs, especially when they use these substances to “take the edge off” symptoms or to offset the effects of medication.
• Combining mood stabilizers with alcohol tends to enhance the negative effects of both drugs, such as drowsiness, nausea and poor co-ordination.

While avoiding alcohol is the best choice for many people with bipolar disorder, having a drink or two on occasion should be okay for those who are stable, feeling well and who have not had a substance use problem.

What if I use street drugs while taking mood stabilizers?

Street drugs can complicate your situation and create problems. Cocaine and amphetamines, for example, can trigger an episode of mania or depression. Marijuana could lift you up or it could bring you down: its effects on mood can be unpredictable, especially when combined with bipolar disorder. Using any street drugs (or alcohol) regularly to modify your mood increases your risk of addiction.

Will mood stabilizers affect my ability to drive safely?

Mood stabilizers, especially early in treatment, may delay your reaction time. This effect could impair your ability to drive a car or operate other machinery. Avoid these activities until you adjust to the medication or if you feel slowed down.

Contents

• Introduction
• Do I need treatment?
• What do mood stabilizers do?
• Side-effects
• Types of mood stabilizers
• Starting and stopping mood stabilizers
• Mood stabilizers, other drugs and driving
• Mood stabilizers, sexuality and pregnancy
• Is age an issue?
• Where can I get more information about mood stabilizers?
• How can I find treatment or a support group?

• Print