Interactions - mood stabilisers

You should tell your doctor of any medicines that you may be taking and also before starting or stopping other drugs.

Lithium may interact with antipsychotics, diuretics, acetylcholine inhibitors and some types of pain relief – talk to your pharmacist about what is safest for you to take when buying pain killers.

Carbamazepine may interact with antipsychotics, lithium, calcium channel blockers, MAOIs and oral contraceptives (the pill) making them less effective.

Valproate may interact with anticonvulsants, and increases the activity or levels of aspirin, warfarin, MAOIs and lamotrigine. Also do not take indigestion remedies at the same time as valproate tablets as they can break down the coating on the valproate tablets making them less effective as they will be broken down too soon.

Lamotrigine may interact with carbamazepine and sodium valproate.

Topiramate may interact with other anticonvulsants.

You should avoid drinking if you are taking lamotrigine or carbamazepine. These drugs can make you sleepy and put you at risk of danger. You should limit your intake to 2-3 drinks per day while taking other mood stabilisers and take particular care if driving or operating machinery because alcohol & the drug may make you drowsy and less able to concentrate.