A 35-year-old patient with a history of bipolar disorder presents with symptoms of mania, including elevated mood and excessive energy that are interfering with his life at home and at work. Which medication is commonly used to treat the manic phase of bipolar disease by reducing synaptic release of amines and requires monitoring of plasma levels for 4 weeks when initiating therapy or changing the dose?
- Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
- Clonazepam (Klonopin)
- Lithium (Lithobid)
- Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
- Valproic acid (Depakote)