Lithium

What is Lithium?

Lithium alters the circulation of sodium through muscle and nerve cells throughout the body. It can affect excitation or mania.

Lithium is a mood stabilizer that can be used as a medication to treat or manage manic episodes in bipolar disorder (manic depression). Manic symptoms include hyperactivity, fast speech, poor judgment, a decreased need to sleep, anger, aggression, andLithium is also a great aid to avoiding or reducing the intensity of manic episodes.Lithium is recommended for children and adults who are 7 years old.

Warnings

Do not take lithium without first telling your doctor if you are pregnant. It can cause harm to your unborn baby. Choose a reliable method of birth control. Also, inform your physician if you develop a pregnancy while receiving treatment.The toxicity of lithium can cause death. Lithium is a drug that has a limited spectrum of safety, and the risk of toxicity is higher when you only take a little over the recommended dosage.

Stop using lithium and consult your doctor as soon as you experience warning signs that indicate lithium poisoning, such as muscles becoming weak, twitching, fatigue, feeling lightheaded, and mood swings. blurred vision, hearing ringing and irregular heartbeats, confusion, slurred speech, and an inability to walk. trouble breathing, or seizures.

Avoid chewing, crushing or break an extended release tablet. Inhale the tablet completely. Drink more fluids to prevent becoming dehydrated while you take this medication.Consult your doctor if you've been sweating heavily or if you're sick with vomiting or diarrhea.

Beware of becoming dehydrated or overheated when exercising or in hot temperatures. Follow your doctor's advice on the types and amounts of liquids that you must consume. In some instances, drinking too much liquid can be just as harmful as not drinking enough.Lithium may cause adverse effects that can affect your reactions or thinking. Be cautious if you drive or engage in any activity that requires you to be alert and aware.

Before you Take this Drug

It is not recommended to take lithium if you're sensitive to it.

To ensure this medication is appropriate for you, inform your physician if you've previously had:

• Breathing issues;
• Heart disease;
• Kidney disease;
• A thyroid disorder
• An abnormal electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG (sometimes referred to as the EKG);
• Fainting spells,
• A relative who passed away before the age of 45.

Certain medicines may interfere with lithium and create serotonin syndrome. Make sure to inform your doctor whether you are also taking medication that is a stimulant, opioid, herbal product, or medicine for mental illness, depression, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, or serious infections. the prevention of vomiting and nausea. Talk to your doctor prior to making any changes to the way or the dosage of your medication.

It isn't known if lithium can harm an unborn baby. Consult your doctor if you are expecting or planning to be pregnant.Do not breastfeed during the course of this medication.Lithium is not permitted for anyone less than 7 years old.

How to Take Lithium?

Use the lithium exactly as recommended for you. Follow the directions on the label of your prescription, and make sure you read all the instructions or medication guides. Your doctor could alter your dosage. Don't take lithium in higher quantities or for longer than the recommended duration. Overdose could occur in the event that you take just a bit over the recommended dosage.Suck your tablet whole and don't chew, crush, or break it.

Make sure to measure the liquid medicine with care. Use the dosing needle provided or a dose-measuring device (not an ordinary spoon).

Contact your physician if you are suffering from vomiting and fever, as well as diarrhea. Also, tell your doctor that you are sweating more than usual. It is possible to become dehydrated while taking lithium, which could affect your dosage requirements. Don't change your dosage or schedule of medication without your physician's approval.Drink more fluids throughout the day to avoid losing water.

It could take as long as three weeks before your symptoms begin to improve. Use the medication exactly as prescribed and notify your doctor if you don't improve after a week.It is possible that you will need frequent blood tests.If you are going to undergo surgery, inform your surgeon beforehand that you're using this medication.

Keep the bottle at room temperature, far from heat and moisture. Make sure the bottle is tightly sealed when not being used.

Details on Dosage

Usual Adult Dose for Mania:

Acute Control:
Usual dose: 1800 mg/day
Extended releases: 900 mg oral in the morning and at night.
Regular releases: 600 mg taken orally three times daily during the day, in the afternoon, and at night.
Long-term Control:
Maintenance dose ranges from 900–1200 mg/day.
Extended-release formulas: 600 mg taken orally in the morning and 600 mg at night
Formulations for regular release 300 mg, orally, 3 to 4 times daily
Uses:
The treatment of bipolar disorder and manic episodes
Treatment for maintenance in people with bipolar disorder

Usual Adult Dose for Bipolar Disorder:

Acute Control:
Usual dose: 1800 mg/day
Extended release formulas: 900mg oral in the morning and at night.
Regular release formulas: 600 mg taken orally three times daily between the hours of morning, afternoon, and evening.
Long-term Control:
Maintenance dose ranges from 900 to 1200 mg/day.
Extended releases: 600 mg taken orally in the morning and 600 mg at night.
Regular-release formulations contain 300 mg orally, 3 to 4 times per day.
Uses:
The treatment of bipolar manic episode disorder
Treatment for maintenance in people with bipolar disorder

Usual Paediatric Dose for Mania:

Ages 12 and over:
Acute Control:
Usual dose: 1800 mg/day
Extended releases: 900 mg oral in the morning and at night.
Regular-release formulas: 600 mg taken orally three times per day between the hours of morning and afternoon and at night.
Long-term Control:
Maintenance dose daily ranging from 900–1200 mg
Extended releases: 600 mg taken orally in the morning and 600 mg at night.
Formulations for regular release 300 mg, orally, up to 4 times daily
Uses:
Treatment for bipolar manic-manic attacks
Maintenance treatment for people suffering from bipolar disorder.

Usual Paediatric Dose for Bipolar Disorder:

12-year-olds and older:
Acute Control:
Usual dose: 1800 mg/day
Extended-release formulas: 900mg taken orally in the morning and 900 mg at night
Regular release formulas: 600 mg taken orally three times daily during the day, in the afternoon, and at night.
Long-term Control:
Maintenance dose ranges from 900 to 1200 mg/day.
Extended-release formulas: 600 mg taken orally in the morning and 600 mg at night
Regular-release formulations 300 mg taken orally, 3 to 4 times daily
Uses:
The treatment of bipolar manic episode disorder
Maintenance treatment for people suffering from bipolar disorder.

What Happens If I Miss a Dose?

Do not take the medicine for as long as you are able, but do not take any missed doses if it's nearing the time to take the next dose. Don't take two doses at a time.

What Happens If I Overdose?

Stop using lithium and seek urgent medical attention, or contact the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 for help.

The first signs of toxicity are diarrhea, vomiting, and drowsiness. It can also cause muscle weakness and a loss of coordination.

What Should be Avoided?

Avoid driving or engaging in hazardous activities until you are aware of the effects of lithium on your body. Your reaction could be affected.

Avoid becoming too hot or dehydrated when exercising in hot weather or simply by not drinking enough fluids. Follow the advice of your physician about the types and amounts of liquids you must consume. In certain instances, drinking too much fluid can be just as harmful as not drinking enough.

Do not alter how much salt is consumed in your daily diet. The amount of salt you consume could affect your lithium levels, which are present in your blood.

Side effects of Lithium

See a doctor immediately. If you are experiencing symptoms that you are experiencing an allergic reaction or chemical reaction to lithium, such as hives, breathing problems, or swelling of your lips, face, and tongue,

An excess of lithium levels in your body could cause death. Lithium poisoning can happen when you consume just a little over the recommended dosage.

Stop taking this medication and consult your physician now if you are experiencing symptoms of lithium poisoning, such as muscle weakness and drowsiness. experiencing lightheadedness and mood changes blurred vision, hearing ringing and irregular heartbeats, blurred speech, confusion, difficulties breathing, or seizures.

Contact your doctor immediately. If you suffer from:

• A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you're passing out;
• Breathlessness;
• The thirst of fever, or increased excessive urination
• Insufficiency, dizziness, or spinning sensation;
• Hallucinations, memory problems,
• Issues with balance or muscle movements;
• The loss of bladder or bowel control;
• A seizure (blackout or convulsions);
• Lower sodium: headache, disorientation Slurred speech, vomiting, severe weakness, and lack of coordination Feeling unsteady
• Thyroid issues Weight loss or gain, muscle pain, tremors, feeling cold or hot, changes to hair or skin, sweating, fatigue, feeling weak, rapid or pounding heartbeats, a rise in stool movements anxiety or feeling agitated;
• Symptoms of dehydration: experiencing extreme thirst or heat, not being able to urinate or sweat heavily, having hot or dried skin,
• Increased pressure in the skull, severe headaches and ringing in the ears, dizziness, nausea, and vision issues eye pain.

Get medical attention immediately if you experience symptoms of serotonin disorder, like agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, high heart rate, stiffness of muscles and twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Common side effects of lithium include:

• Dizziness, drowsiness;
• Your hands shake.
• Difficulty walking;
• Dry mouth, thirst, or urination
• Nausea and vomiting, as well as a lack of appetite.
• It can be a rash
• Blurred vision.

This is not a comprehensive list of possible side effects, and other effects may also be present. Contact your doctor for advice regarding medical effects. You can report adverse reactions to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Interaction with Other Drugs

Talk to your doctor about the current medications you're taking. Discuss with your doctor the medications you are currently. There are many drugs that can interact with lithium, including:

• Buspirone;
• Fentanyl;
• St. John's wort;
• Tramadol;
• A "triptan" migraine headache medication;
• Tryptophan;
• An antidepressant or antipsychotic medication an antidepressant or antipsychotic medication
• A MAO inhibitor isocarboxazid, the linezolid drug, Methylene Blue injection, rasagiline, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine.

This isn't a complete list, and other drugs could be incompatible with lithium. This includes prescription as well as over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Some interactions with drugs are listed here.