Priority 10 from the Bipolar PSP

UNCERTAINTY: Can medications with fewer side-effects be developed? (JLA PSP Priority 10)
Overall ranking	10
JLA question ID	0041/10
Explanatory note	Not available for this PSP
Evidence	None identified
Health Research Classification System category	Mental Health

Extra information provided by this PSP
Original uncertainty examples	For full examples, see Category ID T4 on spreadsheet. Why do so many of the ones that are approved cause weight gain? This is a huge issue for a young person and can (and has) cause them to refuse treatment. ~ Is Lithium safe? This seems to be a very crude drug that has been used un-modified for decades despite the potential for it to cause severe damage such as kidney damage. Is there research into modifications or reformulations to make Lithium safer? ~ Priadel and lamotrogine do dull the senses and make me feel wrapped in cotton wool. Is there another medication or is part of the cure removing our edges and sharpness and making us slightly drugged and thick? ~
Submitted by	Patients x 83 ~ Carers x 20 ~ Health Professionals x 6 ~ Others x 4

Extra information provided by this PSP

Original uncertainty examples

For full examples, see Category ID T4 on spreadsheet. Why do so many of the ones that are approved cause weight gain? This is a huge issue for a young person and can (and has) cause them to refuse treatment. ~ Is Lithium safe? This seems to be a very crude drug that has been used un-modified for decades despite the potential for it to cause severe damage such as kidney damage. Is there research into modifications or reformulations to make Lithium safer? ~ Priadel and lamotrogine do dull the senses and make me feel wrapped in cotton wool. Is there another medication or is part of the cure removing our edges and sharpness and making us slightly drugged and thick? ~

Submitted by

Patients x 83 ~ Carers x 20 ~ Health Professionals x 6 ~ Others x 4

PSP information
PSP unique ID	0041
PSP name	Bipolar
Total number of uncertainties identified by this PSP.	363 (To see a full list of all uncertainties identified, please see the detailed spreadsheet held on the JLA website)
Date of priority setting workshop	14 June 2016