Pediatric Mood Stabilizer Meds Cheat Sheet

Drug Uses
(Less Common & based on blood levels) (Generally weight based)

Most Common Dosing Range

Max Dose

Side Effects

Monitoring

Dosing Issues
Dosed twice daily XR dosed once daily Don't have to taper off but may see increased mood symptoms Don't double up if miss dose Can be dosed multiple times daily Don't have to taper off but may see increased mood symptoms Don't double up if miss dose Don't take with ibuprofen If doses are missed >3 days, it should be restarted at original dose, then increased Usually dosed twice daily Can make birth control pills not work well

Depakote Depakote ER Depakote Sprinkles Depakene (valproic acid)

FDA-Approved Uses: Seizures >10 years Off-Label Uses: Bipolar

250 - 2,000 MG

2,000 MG

polycystic ovary Valproic acid thrombocytopenia blood levels weight gain liver tests possible birth defects, blood counts if pregnant; elevate liver pregnancy tests enzymes

Eskalith Lithobid (lithium)

FDA-Approved Uses: Bipolar (ages 12-17 years)

150 - 1,200 MG

1,800 MG

Related to blood levels being too high: tremor diarrhea nausea increased urination

Thyroid levels Kidney tests

Lamictal (lamotrigine)

FDA-Approved Uses: Seizures Off-Label Uses: Bipolar FDA-Approved Uses: Seizures (ages 4-16 years) Off-Label Uses: Bipolar Mood lability Aggression

300 MG 2 to 5 - 200 MG (not based on blood levels)

severe, possibly life-threatening, rash--stop taking if rash occurs & call doctor

None

Trileptal

150 - 1,800 MG

2,100 MG

headache Sodium blood dizziness levels nausea / vomiting

This information is intended as a guide, not as a comprehensive drug information reference. Not all pediatric psychiatric medications are included. Sound clinical judgment and individualized patient care is required and may dictate need for higher doses in specific cases. 1. Texas DFPS & UT at Austin College of Pharmacy; December 2010; Psychotropic Medication Utilization Parameters for Foster Children; Retrieved from http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/documents/Child_Protection/pdf/TxFosterCareParameters-December2010.pdf 2. Essential Psychopharmacology: The Prescriber's Guide, by Stephen M. Stahl, New York, NY, Cambridge University Press, 2005 3. Minoxidil. Drug Facts and Comparisons. Facts & Comparisons [database online]. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc; March 2005. Accessed August 2012