Aren't there long-term side effects to taking medications to treat Bipolar?

Seroquel (Tardive dyskinesia), Depakote (adversely effects brain)?
Please list other meds and side effects you know about.
Short-term and long-term side effects?
Please add on!

Yes, there are long term effects. But you have to weigh up the long term effects of not taking meds for bipolar, namely a 20-25% suicide risk.

Short term effects are not that relevant, as by definition, they don't last very long. Only a few meds are approved for long term maintenance of bipolar disorder: I believe only Lithium and Zyprexa are officially approved for longer than 6 months use. Stuff that, I like my lamotrigine and no-one's taking it away from me.

I believe there are long term effects to any drug. But not severe enough to stop taking them if you need them. My best advice to you is to go on the web like I do, Pull up a search on these meds, and you will find all you are looking for!!

Lithium is the most prescribed medication for bipolar. The longer you take it, the more it damages your kidneys This is why doctors tell you not to consume alcohol while taking this medicine.(Alcohol and Lithium both break down in your kidneys and Liver) I know of 2 people who have died of kidney failure as a result of being on Lithium. Of course they had been on it for many years. I also have learned about a person, while on Lithium, had been drinking and gone into kidney failure shortly after a few drinks.
Other short term side effects are tremors, confusion, dry mouth, and thirst. There is a longer list, but those are the biggest side effects I had suffered from.
I thank GOD to this day that I have recovered from Bipolar and no longer need to be on this horrible medication. Or any others for that matter!! But that is another story!

There are long term side effects with not treating it too.

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