Since the link with bipolar disorder was recognized (about 1970), treatment with mood-stabilizing agents, such as lithium and anti-convulsant drugs, has been employed with success. Electroconvulsive therapy has the reputation of efficacy in this disorder, and it can be given during pregnancy (avoiding the risk of pharmaceutical treatment), with due precautions. But there have been no trials, and Dutch experience has shown that almost all mothers recover quickly without it. After recovery the mother may need antidepressant treatment and/or prophylactic mood stabilizers; she will need counselling about the risk of recurrence and will often appreciate psychotherapeutic support. Prevention
There is much evidence that lithium can at least partly prevent episodes in mothers at high risk. It is dangerous during parturition, when pressure in the pelvis can obstruct the ureters and raise blood levels. Started after the birth its adverse effects are minimal, even in breast-fed infants. Causes
The cause of postpartum bipolar disorder breaks down into two parts – the nature of the brain anomalies that predispose to manic and depressive symptoms, and the triggers that provoke these symptoms in those with the bipolar diathesis. The genetic, anatomical and neurochemical basis of bipolar disorder is at present unknown, and is one of the most important projects in psychiatry; but is not the main concern here. The challenge and opportunity presented by the childbearing psychoses is to identify the triggers of early postpartum onset and other onset groups. Considering that these psychoses have been known for centuries, little effort has so far been made to understand the underlying biology.
Telotristat ethyl (USAN, brand name Xermelo) is a prodrug of telotristat, which is an inhibitor of tryptophan hydroxylase. It is formulated as telotristat etiprate — a hippurate salt of telotristat ethyl.On February 28, 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved telotristat ethyl in combination with somatostatin analog (SSA) therapy for the treatment of adults with diarrhea associated with carcinoid syndrome that SSA therapy alone has inadequately controlled. Telotristat ethyl was approved for use in the European Union in September 2017.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers it to be a first-in-class medication. Pharmacology
Telotristat is an inhibitor of tryptophan hydroxylase, which mediates the rate-limiting step in serotonin biosynthesis. Adverse effects
Common adverse effects noted in clinical trials include nausea, headache, elevated liver enzymes, depression, accumulation of fluid causing swelling (peripheral edema), flatulence, decreased appetite, and fever. Constipation is also common, and may be serious or life-threatening (especially in overdose). Formulations
It is marketed by Lexicon Pharmaceuticals (as telotristat etiprate). 328 mg telotristat etiprate is equivalent to 250 mg telotristate ethyl. References
Further reading
Kulke MH, ODorisio T, Phan A, Bergsland E, Law L, Banks P,  et al. (October 2014). "Telotristat etiprate, a novel serotonin synthesis inhibitor, in patients with carcinoid syndrome and diarrhea not adequately controlled by octreotide". Endocrine-Related Cancer. 21 (5): 705–14. doi:10.1530/ERC-14-0173. PMC 4295770. PMID 25012985. External links
"Telotristat ethyl". Drug Information Portal. U.S. National Library of Medicine. "Telotristat etiprate". Drug Information Portal. U.S. National Library of Medicine.