Which medication is often prescribed alongside lithium for acute mania?

When managing acute mania, atypical antipsychotics are commonly prescribed alongside lithium due to their efficacy in rapidly stabilizing mood. These medications can help reduce manic symptoms such as agitation, impulsivity, and psychosis that may be present during an acute episode.

Atypical antipsychotics, including medications like olanzapine and quetiapine, are particularly beneficial for their relatively favorable side effect profiles when compared to older antipsychotics, and they are effective in quickly alleviating manic symptoms in individuals with bipolar disorder.

The selection of an adjunct medication should be based on clinical judgment, and atypical antipsychotics have a solid evidence base supporting their use in conjunction with lithium for this specific condition.