Which anticonvulsant medication is commonly used as a mood stabilizer?

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Lamotrigine is commonly used as a mood stabilizer due to its effectiveness in treating bipolar disorder, particularly in the depressive phase. It has mood-stabilizing properties that help prevent mood swings, making it a preferred choice for managing long-term mood regulation in patients with this condition. Lamotrigine works by inhibiting excitatory neurotransmission and modulating the release of glutamate, which contributes to its stabilizing effect on mood.

While other anticonvulsants, such as Topiramate, have been explored for mood stabilization, lamotrigine has a more established role and evidence supporting its efficacy in bipolar disorder. Furthermore, diazepam and phenobarbital are primarily used for their anxiolytic and sedative properties, respectively, and do not serve as mood stabilizers in clinical practice.

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