Anyone know of any drugs for bipolar disorder that are not in the valproic acid classification?

There are several medication out there that are not Depakote (valoperic acid). Most mood stabilazers are also used to treat seizure disorder. Some that fall under that class but no levels have to be drawn would be topomax, lamitical. Lithium still needs levels drawn. Or even more doctors are starting to use Seroquel to help treat manic eposides, Abilify, and even zyperxa. Source(s): I am a mental health nurse that works in a CSP. (A crisis unit)

klonopin a benzodiazapine is used to help treat bi-polar disorder but is used in combination with depakote and im not sure if depakote is in the valproic acid classification.
good question i dont know how ever ive been on zoloft for 10 yrs now i suffer from ocd disorder post tramatic depresion disorder im bi polar its tuff every day i try to help someone being bi polar is tuff dealing with the highs an lows is very tuff i know
Valproic acid isn't a classification of drugs, it's just the generic name for Depakote. There are several other options of mood stablizers for bipolar disorder. A couple of the more common ones are lithium and Lamictal. Lithium requires close monitoring of your blood levels and Lamictal was first marketed as an anti-seizure medication, but it works well as a mood stablizer also. More doctors are using drugs like Abilify and Zyprexa, which aren't standard mood stablizers either. They tend to help more with the mania than depression. Most bipolar people end up on a cocktail of meds to keep their moods level. I'm on three, for instance: Wellbutrin XL, Lamictal and Abilify.
bipolar and I read a lot.
Lithium is still used as a first line medication and is very effective, but requires blood levels and can cause weight gain.

Anti-convulsants used as mood stabilizers in place of Depakote are: Topamax (tends to be sedating), Lamictal (no weight gain and tends to promote weight loss), Tegretol (rarely used because of potential side effects), Trileptal and Neurontin (also good for pain management and diabetic neuropathy).

Atypical Antipsychotics used as mood stabilizers and anti-manic agents include: Zyprexa (can lead to diabetes, but particularly good for anti-manic effects), Seroquel (also weight gain, but approved specifically for Bipolar II to decrease recurrent depression), Abilify, Geodon

(Benzodiazepines are often used additionally to decrease associated anxiety, but are not a treatment in and of themselves)