Posted by SLS on September 20, 2011, at 17:26:21
In reply to Lithium - Anyone use to augment antidepressant?, posted by jerseygal1 on September 20, 2011, at 15:18:15
> the doctor said I may have something they call dysphoric bipolar II.
Are you irritable or prone to episodes of rage?
I posted the dosages of lithium preferred when treating MDD. To treat a bipolar diathesis usually requires higher dosages. Ranges of lithium blood levels suggested are usually stated as being 0.8 - 1.2 mEq/L. It couldn't hurt to try 0.6 mEq/L, which is the lowest value that is found to work to treat bipolar mania. If this does not produce results, and the drug is well tolerated, you can increase the dosage.
Check out Topamax 100mg if you reach a sticking point.
One last thought. I offer the possibility that 300-600mg of lithium might be effective to treat the depressive phase of BP if other antimanic drugs are being used. The advantage here is that it would prevent lithium toxicity. I have no data to support this notion.
- ScottSome see things as they are and ask why.
I dream of things that never were and ask why not.- George Bernard Shaw
poster:SLS
thread:997291
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20110914/msgs/997314.html