9 volt lithium
(LIH thee um)
Eskalith, Eskalith-CR, Lithobid, Lithonate, Lithotabs
What is the most important information I should know about lithium?
• Call your doctor if you experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, slurredspeech, extreme drowsiness, or weakness 9 volt lithium. These symptoms may be early signs oflithium toxicity 9 volt lithium.
• Do not crush, chew, or break any extended-release forms of lithium (e.g.,Lithobid, Eskalith CR) 9 volt lithium. They are specially formulated to release slowly in thebody 9 volt lithium.
• Lithium may cause dizziness or drowsiness 9 volt lithium. Use caution when driving orperforming other hazardous activities until you know how this medication affectsyou 9 volt lithium. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities 9 volt lithium.
What is lithium?
• Lithium is a naturally occurring substance 9 volt lithium. As a medication, lithiumreduces chemicals in the body that cause excitation or mania 9 volt lithium.
• Lithium is used to treat manic episodes of manic-depressive illness 9 volt lithium. Lithium helps to prevent and control symptoms of mania such as hyperactivity,rushed speech, poor judgment, reduced need for sleep, aggression, and anger 9 volt lithium.
• Lithium may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide 9 volt lithium.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking lithium?
• Before taking lithium, tell your doctor if you
· have kidney disease;
· have heart disease; or
· have thyroid problems 9 volt lithium.
• You may not be able to take lithium, or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring if you have any of the conditions listed above 9 volt lithium.
• Lithium is in the FDA pregnancy category D 9 volt lithium. This means that lithium isknown to be harmful to an unborn baby 9 volt lithium. Do not take lithium without first talkingto your doctor if you are pregnant or are planning a pregnancy 9 volt lithium.
• Lithium passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant 9 volt lithium. Do nottake lithium without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feedinga baby 9 volt lithium.
• Lithium may have greater effects in people over 65 years of age 9 volt lithium. Yourdoctor may prescribe a lower dose or recommend special monitoring if you areover 65 years of age 9 volt lithium.
How should I take lithium?
• Take lithium exactly as directed by your doctor 9 volt lithium. If you do not understandthese directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you 9 volt lithium.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water 9 volt lithium.
• Do not crush, chew, or break any extended-release or controlled-releaseforms of lithium (e.g., Lithobid, Eskalith CR) 9 volt lithium. They are specially formulatedto release slowly in the body 9 volt lithium.
• Measure the liquid form of lithium with a dose-measuring spoon or cup,not with a regular table spoon 9 volt lithium. If you do not have a dose-measuring device,ask your pharmacist where you can get one 9 volt lithium.
• Maintain adequate fluid intake by drinking 8 to 12 glasses of water orother fluid every day while taking lithium 9 volt lithium. Vigorous exercise, prolonged exposureto heat or sun, excessive sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting may cause dehydrationand side effects from lithium 9 volt lithium. Call your doctor if you lose a significant amountof body fluid as a result of sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting 9 volt lithium.
• Your doctor may want you to have regularly scheduled blood tests duringtreatment with lithium to monitor the amount of medication in your body 9 volt lithium.
• Do not stop taking lithium without first talking to your doctor, evenif you begin to feel better 9 volt lithium. Treatment with lithium may be necessary even ifyou are feeling well 9 volt lithium.
• Store lithium at room temperature away from moisture and heat 9 volt lithium.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember 9 volt lithium. However, if it is almosttime for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take your next regularlyscheduled dose 9 volt lithium. Do not take a double dose 9 volt lithium.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention 9 volt lithium.
• Symptoms of a lithium overdose include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness,weakness, decreased coordination, giddiness, blurred vision, ringing in theears, and seizures 9 volt lithium.
What should I avoid while taking lithium?
• Lithium may cause dizziness or drowsiness 9 volt lithium. Use caution when driving orperforming other hazardous activities until you know how this medication affectsyou 9 volt lithium. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities 9 volt lithium.
• Maintain adequate fluid intake by drinking 8 to 12 glasses of water orother fluid every day while taking lithium 9 volt lithium. Vigorous exercise, prolonged exposureto heat or sun, excessive sweating, fever, diarrhea, or vomiting may cause dehydrationand side effects from lithium 9 volt lithium. Call your doctor if you lose a significant amountof body fluid as a result of sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting 9 volt lithium.
• Do not change the amount of salt that you consume in your diet 9 volt lithium. Consumingmore or less salt could change the amount of lithium in your blood 9 volt lithium.
What are the possible side effects of lithium?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop takinglithium and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat;swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· blurred vision or eye pain;
· nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;
· slurred speech;
· extreme drowsiness, weakness, or confusion;
· involuntary movements; or
· ringing in your ears 9 volt lithium.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur 9 volt lithium. Continueto take lithium and talk to your doctor if you experience
· fine hand tremor;
· mild increase in thirst or urination;
· a rash;
· headache or mild dizziness; or
· swollen feet or hands 9 volt lithium.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur 9 volt lithium. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effects that you experience 9 volt lithium.
What other drugs will affect lithium?
• Before taking lithium, tell your doctor if you are taking any other medications,especially any of the following:
· haloperidol (Haldol);
· a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin,Advil, Nuprin, others), ketoprofen (Orudis, Oruvail, Orudis KT), naproxen (Aleve,Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), indomethacin (Indocin), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam(Feldene), nabumetone (Relafen), and others;
· a diuretic (water pill) such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril,others), furosemide (Lasix), triamterene (Dyazide, Dyrenium, Maxzide), chlorothiazide(Diuril), metolazone (Mykrox, Zaroxolyn), indapamide (Lozol), bumetanide (Bumex),spironolactone (Aldactone), and amiloride (Midamor);
· an angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor (ACE inhibitor) such asbenazepril (Lotensin), lisinopril (Zestril, Prinivil), fosinopril (Monopril),captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), moexipril (Univasc), quinapril (Accupril),and ramipril (Altace);
· the calcium channel blockers diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor XR) or verapamil(Calan, Isoptin, Verelan);
· a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) such as fluoxetine(Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil),or citalopram (Celexa);
· carbamazepine (Tegretol);
· metronidazole (Flagyl);
· theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theo-Bid, Theolair, Elixophyllin, Slo-Phyllin,others); or
· acetazolamide (Diamox) 9 volt lithium.
• You may require special monitoring or a dosage adjustment if you aretaking any of the medicines listed above 9 volt lithium.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with lithium 9 volt lithium. Tellyour doctor and pharmacist about all other medicines that you take, includingover-the-counter preparations 9 volt lithium. Do not take any medications without the approvalof your doctor 9 volt lithium.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has more information about lithium written for healthprofessionals that you may read 9 volt lithium.
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