TABLE 13-3 - Common Mood Stabilizers
| Drugs | Starting Dosage | Therapeutic Dosage | Therapeutic Serum Concentration |
| Lithium carbonate | 300 mg bid-tid | 900-1500 mg/day | 0.6- 1.1 mEq/L |
| Valproic acid | 250 mg bid-tid | 1000-2500 mg/day | 50- 120 mg/L |
| Carbamazepine | 100 mg bid-tid | 600-1200 mg/day | 4-12 mg/L |
| Lamotrigine | 25-50 mg qhs 2 | 300-500 mg/day | - |
| Gabapentin | 300 mg qd | 900- 1800 mg/day | - |
| Oxcarbazepine | 150mgbid | 600-1200 mg/day | - |
1 Dosages are generally lower for geriatric patients, patients taking interacting medications, or patients with other medical problems.
2 valproate will increase lamotrigine serum level, necessitating lower dosages.
Adapted from Stoll AL, Psychopharmacology reference card, 1996 and from Physician's desk reference, S6th ed.2002.