Bupropion
[Wellbutrin] First-line for depression (lacks weight-gain, sexual, cognitive, fatigue SEs; lack of WD). Safest antidepressant in bipolar. Treats nicotine but not as well as varenicline. Treats ADHD a little; RLS.
Medication
Lamotrigine
[Lamictal] Best tolerated mood stabilizer, treats and prevents bp-depression; does not treat mania so avoid as monotherapy in bipolar I.
Carbamazepine
[Equetro] A well tolerated option for bipolar mania and mixed states (but you’ll need to adjust for drug interactions)
Zonisamide
Zonisamide (Zonegran) Anticonvulsant (glutamate modulation, GABA-ergic; blocks voltage-dependent sodium channels) Features Dosing Start 100 mg/d, raise by 100 mg/d every
Valproate
[Depakote] Good for bipolar mania/mixed and comorbid anxiety/alcoholism, but poorly tolerated and unsafe in pregnancy.
Pregabalin
[Lyrica] Approved outside US for generalized and social anxiety disorders, very effective but weight gain/sedation.
Gabapentin
[Neurontin] For social anxiety, stabilizing sleep in alcoholics, RLS, akathisia, non-specific anxiety. Better tolerated than pregabalin but less effective.
Minocycline
[Minocin] Antibiotic/anti-inflammatory with possible benefits in bipolar and unipolar depression; also treats lithium-acne.
Cycloserine
Augments exposure therapy and TMS in low dose, may work for TRD in high dose, but have to get from specialty pharmacy.
Amantadine
Similar to ketamine. Treats TD [2] and irritability in TBI [1]. Last-line secret-weapon for bipolar/unipolar depression, OCD, cognition, DMDD, autism, weight-loss