Guide To The Side Effects Of Mood Stabilizers

Increased Sensitivity To The Sun

Patients who take mood stabilizers may notice an increased sensitivity to the sun, and this side effect is common with carbamazepine. Increased sensitivity to the sun could cause individuals to experience skin redness or sunburns with minimal sun exposure. The skin could become painful, and it may peel. To reduce this risk, patients should apply sunscreen on a daily basis, and it needs to be applied to all exposed areas of the body, including the face, ears, neck, chest, and feet. Wearing special clothing designed to block the sun's rays may be helpful as well, and patients should also wear a hat and sunglasses. If possible, wearing long-sleeved shirts is advisable. Patients should ideally stay indoors between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If severe sunburn occurs, the patient should seek urgent care. Patients may also wish to see a dermatologist for a yearly skin examination to reduce the risk of skin cancer. In cases where sun sensitivity interferes with an individual's daily life, the prescribing physician might recommend switching to another drug that does not cause this side effect.

Read more about what side effects can occur with mood stabilizers now.

Kidney Damage

Kidney damage associated with the use of mood stabilizers is most commonly linked to lithium. Damage to the kidneys may lead to kidney disease. A Danish study published in November 2015 revealed short-term use of this medication doubled an individual's risk of kidney disease. Specifically, the risk increased from one to 2.5 percent, and the risk of developing end-stage kidney disease also increased. The same study concluded that long-term use of lithium raised an individual's kidney disease risk from one percent to three percent; however, long-term use was not associated with an increase in the development of end-stage kidney disease. Patients who take lithium will have regular kidney function tests during treatment, and they should be aware of potential indicators of kidney disease. These generally include nausea, vomiting, sleep disturbances, persistent skin itching, loss of appetite, fatigue, and high blood pressure. The patient might also notice changes in how much they urinate. Individuals who observe any of these symptoms should see their doctor as soon as possible.