![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by twinch42085 on September 21, 2007, at 21:15:19
Does anyone know of mania medictation that is cheap? I have no insurance so i am curious to know what meds are the best? Is lithium cheap?
Are there any meds out there that are inexpensive to buy : say for instance benzos or pain pills???
thank you : )
twinch
Posted by Phillipa on September 21, 2007, at 21:47:30
In reply to Cheap meds that help control mania?, posted by twinch42085 on September 21, 2007, at 21:15:19
Lithium and benzos are cheap. Phillipa
Posted by linkadge on September 21, 2007, at 22:07:03
In reply to Cheap meds that help control mania?, posted by twinch42085 on September 21, 2007, at 21:15:19
Lithium is the cheapest and possably most effective antimanic agent. If you have not tried lithium, you should try it before trying benzodiazapines or pain pills.
Linkadge
Posted by twinch42085 on September 21, 2007, at 23:12:47
In reply to Re: Cheap meds that help control mania?, posted by linkadge on September 21, 2007, at 22:07:03
I would rather try a benzo before I would try lithium. Only becuase I am afraid to take lithium. I also take 200mg of lamcital
thanks : )
twinch
Posted by linkadge on September 21, 2007, at 23:29:47
In reply to Re: Cheap meds that help control mania? » linkadge, posted by twinch42085 on September 21, 2007, at 23:12:47
>I would rather try a benzo before I would try >lithium. Only becuase I am afraid to take lithium
Lithium is probably better for the brain then benzodiazapines. The side effects of lithium are dose dependant. I would probably argue that the cognative side effects of an antimanic dose of lithium are less than that of a benzo.
Its your choice. Lithium is probably cheaper, safer, and possably more effective.
Benzodiazapines can help, but are not always specifically antimanic. You may also develop a tollerance to the antimanic effects. In some cases, they can make mania worse.
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on September 21, 2007, at 23:39:49
In reply to Re: Cheap meds that help control mania? » linkadge, posted by twinch42085 on September 21, 2007, at 23:12:47
So you're already on a mood stabalizer. Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on September 21, 2007, at 23:41:14
In reply to Re: Cheap meds that help control mania?, posted by linkadge on September 21, 2007, at 23:29:47
Link is it true that lithium is also calming? Phillipa
Posted by rina on September 22, 2007, at 2:37:06
In reply to Cheap meds that help control mania?, posted by twinch42085 on September 21, 2007, at 21:15:19
This is a wonderful site to get pricing of different drugs and information about any and all medicines you want to know about. Good luck.
Posted by Amigan on September 22, 2007, at 9:57:34
In reply to Re: Cheap meds that help control mania?, posted by linkadge on September 21, 2007, at 23:29:47
> Benzodiazapines can help, but are not always specifically antimanic. You may also develop a tollerance to the antimanic effects. In some cases, they can make mania worse.
I have no experience with lithium but i agree with this.
Posted by rskontos on September 22, 2007, at 10:36:21
In reply to Re: Cheap meds that help control mania?, posted by Amigan on September 22, 2007, at 9:57:34
Does lithium have a bad rap for some reason?
Posted by rina on September 22, 2007, at 12:26:33
In reply to Re: Cheap meds that help control mania?, posted by rskontos on September 22, 2007, at 10:36:21
I've never taken it but it has been known to be the gold standard for acute mania.
Here's some info I found on a website:
Assess renal and thyroid function before initiating
ECG before initiating
Avoid NSAIDs and diuretics
Maintain uniform salt intake
Monitor serum levels periodically
Measure 10–12 hr after last dose
Measure 4–5 days after last dosage change
Monitor BUN, serum creatinine, TSH every 6 mo
Side effects: cognitive slowing, nausea, diarrhea, polyuria, polydipsia, weight gain, tremor, metallic taste in the mouth
Dose: lithium carbonate
Initial: 300 mg t.i.d. or 450 mg b.i.d.
Maintenance: 900–1,800 mg/day
Therapeutic blood level: 0.8–1.2 mEq/L
Cost/mo: $38
http://www.acpmedicine.com/dxrx/dxrx1302.htm
Posted by linkadge on September 22, 2007, at 17:52:09
In reply to Re: Cheap meds that help control mania? » linkadge, posted by Phillipa on September 21, 2007, at 23:41:14
Lithium can be calming esepcially if uncalm is mania related. Some report it has general anxiolytic properties, but I would hesitate to call it an anxiolytic.
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on September 22, 2007, at 17:54:57
In reply to Re: Cheap meds that help control mania? » rskontos, posted by rina on September 22, 2007, at 12:26:33
The big concerns are to monitor kidney and thyroid function.
It can be heavy feeling in some ways, but I personally found the side effects significantly more tollerable than say those of an SSRI.
For some people, there are few/no side effects. But some cannot tollerate it.
I think it is also considered "heavy" on account of the seriosness of the disorders it can control.
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on September 22, 2007, at 20:26:41
In reply to Re: Cheap meds that help control mania? » Phillipa, posted by linkadge on September 22, 2007, at 17:52:09
Thanks link. Phillipa
Posted by twinch42085 on September 22, 2007, at 21:05:22
I am on 200mg of lamictal and it costs $175 for a months supply. I also take 2mg of risperdal and that costs $319 for 30pills. I know now that lithium is cheap! but are there other alternatives like benzos or something?
thanks : )
twinch
Posted by linkadge on September 23, 2007, at 9:47:37
In reply to Following Post to Cheaps meds that help with mania, posted by twinch42085 on September 22, 2007, at 21:05:22
You can always try benzodiazapines. There is more to a antimanic agent than just a sedative though.
You could also try valproate, (which I think too should be cheap), and is a strong antimanic agent.
Linkadge
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.