Mood stabilisers and antipsychotics available in Thailand are among the most important drug classes in psychiatric care — and both are available in Thailand by prescription. You cannot obtain them over the counter, and they should never be taken without proper clinical oversight. For conditions such as bipolar disorder, mania, schizophrenia, and related presentations, these treatments require careful assessment, precise dosing, and regular monitoring by a qualified psychiatrist.
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At HealthDeliver Medical Clinic in Bangkok, our psychiatrist prescribes and manages both mood stabilisers and antipsychotics — including Depakine (Valproate) and Risperidone — across our three clinic locations. This guide explains what these treatments are, how they work, what is available locally, and how to access proper psychiatric care for the conditions they treat.
Mood Disorder Treatment in Thailand: An Overview
Mood stabilisers are a class of psychiatric treatment used primarily to manage bipolar disorder — reducing the frequency and severity of both manic and depressive episodes, and helping individuals maintain long-term stability. They are also used in certain cases of schizoaffective disorder, impulse control conditions, and treatment-resistant depression.
The following mood stabilisers are commonly prescribed by psychiatrists across Bangkok and Thailand:
- Valproate / Sodium Valproate (Depakine, Depakote): One of the most widely prescribed mood stabilisers in Thailand, effective for both acute mania and long-term maintenance. Available in syrup (200mg/mL) and tablet (200mg) form at HealthDeliver.
- Lithium Carbonate: Considered the gold standard for bipolar disorder management, particularly for preventing manic episodes. Requires regular blood monitoring to maintain therapeutic levels and avoid toxicity.
- Lamotrigine (Lamictal): Particularly effective for the depressive phase of bipolar disorder and for delaying mood episodes. Dosage must be titrated slowly to minimise risk of serious skin reactions.
- Carbamazepine: Used for bipolar disorder and certain seizure disorders. Requires monitoring for drug interactions and blood counts.
At HealthDeliver, mood stabiliser management is integrated with our GP team — regular blood tests and physical health monitoring are coordinated alongside psychiatric oversight to ensure safe, effective long-term care.
Depakine in Thailand: What Patients Need to Know
Depakine — the brand name for Sodium Valproate — is one of the most commonly prescribed mood stabilisers in Bangkok and across Thailand. It is available at HealthDeliver in two formulations: Depakine Syrup 200mg/mL, which allows flexible dosing, and Depakine 200mg tablets. Both are clinically equivalent — the appropriate form depends on the individual’s needs and prescribing psychiatrist’s recommendation.
Valproate works by increasing levels of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) in the brain, producing a stabilising effect on mood. It is used for:
- Acute mania — reducing the severity and duration of manic episodes
- Bipolar disorder maintenance — reducing the frequency of both manic and depressive episodes over time
- Rapid-cycling bipolar disorder — where mood episodes occur frequently
- Schizoaffective disorder — where mood stabilisation is needed alongside antipsychotic treatment
Key clinical information for Depakine:
- Dosage: Highly individualised — typically starting at 250mg to 500mg daily, increasing gradually under psychiatric supervision. Blood levels are monitored to confirm therapeutic dosing.
- Blood monitoring: Regular blood tests are required to check valproate levels, liver function, and full blood count — particularly in the first six months of treatment and after any dosage change.
- Side effects: Weight gain, drowsiness, tremor, hair thinning, and gastrointestinal upset are the most commonly reported. Most are manageable with dosage adjustment.
- Important warnings: Valproate carries significant risks in pregnancy and must not be taken by women who may become pregnant without specialist guidance. Always inform your prescribing clinician if pregnancy is a possibility.
- Discontinuation: Should never be stopped abruptly — this can trigger rebound mania or seizures. Your psychiatrist will manage any tapering carefully.
Antipsychotics Available in Thailand: An Overview
Antipsychotics are a class of psychiatric drug used primarily for schizophrenia and related psychotic conditions, but also widely prescribed as part of bipolar disorder management — particularly for controlling manic episodes and preventing relapse. They are divided into two generations: typical (first-generation) antipsychotics, which are older and less commonly used now, and atypical (second-generation) antipsychotics, which are the current standard of care for most presentations.
Atypical antipsychotics available and commonly prescribed in Bangkok include:
- Risperidone (Risperdal): One of the most widely used atypical antipsychotics globally and in Thailand. Available at HealthDeliver in 1mg tablet and 1mg/mL oral solution.
- Quetiapine (Seroquel): Used for schizophrenia, bipolar mania, and bipolar depression. Also used at lower doses for insomnia, though this is an off-label application.
- Aripiprazole (Abilify): Used as an adjunct to antidepressants in treatment-resistant depression and for bipolar maintenance.
- Olanzapine (Zyprexa): Effective for acute psychosis and mania. Associated with metabolic side effects including weight gain, requiring careful monitoring.
Risperidone in Thailand: What Patients Need to Know
Risperidone — available at HealthDeliver as Risperidone 1mg tablets and Risperidone 1mg/mL oral solution — is one of the most established atypical antipsychotics in clinical use. It works by blocking dopamine and serotonin receptors in the brain, reducing psychotic symptoms and stabilising mood in conditions including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder with manic episodes, and schizoaffective disorder.
Risperidone is effective for both positive symptoms of schizophrenia (hallucinations, delusions, disorganised thinking) and negative symptoms (emotional flatness, reduced motivation, social withdrawal) — though it is generally more effective for positive symptoms. It is also used as part of combination treatment alongside a mood stabiliser such as Depakine for acute mania in bipolar disorder.
Key clinical information:
- Dosage: Highly individualised. Typically starts at 1mg to 2mg daily for most adult presentations, increasing under psychiatric supervision. Dosage for bipolar mania may differ from schizophrenia dosing.
- Side effects: Sedation, weight gain, movement-related side effects (extrapyramidal symptoms), raised prolactin levels, and metabolic changes. Your psychiatrist will monitor for these regularly.
- Blood monitoring: Periodic metabolic monitoring — including weight, blood glucose, and lipid levels — is recommended for patients on long-term Risperidone, given its metabolic side effect profile.
- Oral solution: The 1mg/mL liquid formulation is particularly useful for individuals who have difficulty swallowing tablets, or where precise low-dose titration is required.
- Discontinuation: Should be managed gradually under psychiatric supervision. Abrupt withdrawal can cause rebound symptoms and should always be avoided.
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What Are the Top 5 Mood Stabilisers for Mental Health Treatment?
Based on international clinical guidelines and prescribing patterns in Bangkok, the five most established mood stabilisers are:
- Lithium Carbonate — gold standard for bipolar disorder, particularly mania prevention
- Valproate / Sodium Valproate (Depakine) — widely used for acute mania and long-term bipolar maintenance
- Lamotrigine (Lamictal) — preferred for bipolar depression and maintenance
- Quetiapine (Seroquel) — atypical antipsychotic also used as a mood stabiliser for bipolar disorder
- Carbamazepine — effective for bipolar disorder, particularly where lithium is not tolerated
At HealthDeliver, our psychiatrist will recommend the most appropriate treatment following a thorough assessment — the right choice depends on your specific diagnosis, presentation, health history, and any other drugs you are taking.
What Medication Is Used for Depression in Thailand?
While mood stabilisers are primarily used for bipolar disorder and mania rather than unipolar depression, there is important overlap worth understanding. In bipolar disorder, the depressive phase often requires a different pharmacological approach than unipolar depression — and prescribing an antidepressant alone without a mood stabiliser can trigger a switch into mania in susceptible individuals.
For bipolar depression specifically, Lamotrigine and Quetiapine are the most evidence-based options. For the depressive episodes in schizoaffective disorder, a combination of an antipsychotic and an antidepressant is typically used. For unipolar depression — where bipolar disorder has been ruled out — SSRIs such as Sertraline and Fluoxetine are the first-line pharmacological treatment.
Can You Get Over the Counter Mood Stabilisers in Thailand?
No. Mood stabilisers are strictly prescription-only treatments in Thailand. They cannot be purchased at a local dispensary without a valid authorisation from a licensed physician, and attempting to obtain them without proper documentation is illegal. This is not simply a regulatory formality — these are treatments that require proper diagnostic assessment before prescribing, regular blood monitoring during use, and careful management of dosage and discontinuation. Taking them without medical oversight carries serious health risks.
Getting a Prescription for Mood Stabilisers or Antipsychotics in Bangkok
At HealthDeliver, accessing a clinical assessment for mood stabilisers or antipsychotics is straightforward. No referral is required. Contact our team via LINE, WhatsApp, or phone to arrange an initial in-person consultation at our Asok, Sathorn, or Phrom Phong clinic.
Your psychiatrist will conduct a comprehensive assessment — covering your presenting symptoms, personal and family psychiatric history, physical health, and any current treatments — before reaching a diagnosis and discussing appropriate options. Where a mood stabiliser or antipsychotic is indicated, your clinician will explain the drug, dosage, expected timeline, monitoring requirements, and potential side effects clearly and without jargon.
Follow-up appointments — in clinic or via telehealth for stable clients — ensure that your treatment continues to be safe, effective, and appropriately adjusted over time. Blood monitoring required for lithium or valproate is coordinated with our GP team on site.
Conclusion: Expert Mood Stabiliser and Antipsychotic Management in Bangkok
Bipolar disorder, mania, schizophrenia, and related conditions are serious psychiatric presentations that respond well to properly managed drug therapy — but that management needs to be genuinely expert. Mood stabilisers and antipsychotics are not treatments to start, adjust, or stop without a qualified psychiatrist’s involvement.
At HealthDeliver Medical Clinic in Bangkok, our psychiatrist brings the clinical expertise and integrated care approach that these conditions require — from initial assessment and diagnosis through to long-term prescribing, blood monitoring, and follow-up. Depakine and Risperidone are both available and managed at our three Bangkok clinics. No referral required. In-clinic and telehealth options available.
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About HealthDeliver Medical Clinic
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HealthDeliver Medical Clinic is a network of private clinics across Bangkok — Asok, Sathorn, and Phrom Phong — delivering flexible, high-quality healthcare to Thai nationals, expats, and international visitors. Services include general practice, psychiatry, mental health and counselling support, telehealth, travel medicine, and executive health. Clinical excellence, genuine convenience, and care that always puts the patient first.
Frequently Asked Questions: Mood Stabilisers and Antipsychotics in Thailand
Q: What are the top 5 mood stabilisers? The five most established options in clinical use are Lithium, Valproate/Depakine, Lamotrigine, Quetiapine, and Carbamazepine. The right choice depends on your specific diagnosis, presentation, and health profile — a psychiatrist will advise following assessment.
Q: What medication is used for depression in Thailand? For unipolar depression, SSRIs such as Sertraline and Fluoxetine are the first-line treatment. For bipolar depression, Lamotrigine and Quetiapine are the most evidence-based options. Your psychiatrist will differentiate clearly between bipolar and unipolar presentations before recommending any pharmacological treatment.
Q: Can you get over the counter mood stabilisers in Thailand? No. All mood stabilisers are prescription-only. They require a valid authorisation from a licensed physician and cannot be dispensed at a local pharmacy without one.
Q: What ADHD meds are available in Thailand? The main ADHD stimulants available in Thailand are methylphenidate-based — including Ritalin (10mg and LA 20mg) and Methylphenidate Sandoz (18mg and 36mg). These are controlled substances requiring an in-person psychiatric assessment before prescribing. Dextroamphetamine (Adderall) is not available in Thailand. [Internal link: Methylphenidate Sandoz in Thailand]
Q: What is the alternative to Ritalin in Thailand? The main alternatives are extended-release methylphenidate formulations — including Ritalin LA 20mg, Concerta, and Methylphenidate Sandoz 18mg/36mg. Non-stimulant options such as Atomoxetine are also available for those who cannot tolerate stimulants. A psychiatrist will advise on the most appropriate formulation following a clinical assessment.
Q: What are the top 3 ADHD medications? In Thailand, the three most commonly prescribed ADHD treatments are Methylphenidate immediate-release (Ritalin 10mg), extended-release Methylphenidate (Ritalin LA or Concerta), and Methylphenidate Sandoz in its 18mg or 36mg formulations. These are all controlled substances requiring psychiatric oversight.
Q: Is Depakine available in Thailand? Yes. Depakine (Sodium Valproate) is available in Thailand by prescription in both tablet (200mg) and syrup (200mg/mL) formulations. It is prescribed and managed at HealthDeliver’s Bangkok clinics.
Q: Is Risperidone available in Thailand? Yes. Risperidone is available locally in 1mg tablet and 1mg/mL oral solution formulations. It requires a valid prescription from a licensed physician and ongoing psychiatric supervision.
Q: Do mood stabilisers require blood tests in Thailand? Yes — for certain drugs, particularly Lithium and Valproate/Depakine. Regular blood monitoring is required to ensure therapeutic drug levels are maintained and to check for potential effects on liver function and blood counts. At HealthDeliver, this is coordinated with our GP team.
Asok | Sathorn | Phrom Phong, Bangkok, Thailand
064 553 9506
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