chemical element 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 chemical element lithium. These symptoms may be early signs oflithium toxicity chemical element lithium.
• Do not crush, chew, or break any extended-release forms of lithium (e.g.,Lithobid, Eskalith CR) chemical element lithium. They are specially formulated to release slowly in thebody chemical element lithium.
• Lithium may cause dizziness or drowsiness chemical element lithium. Use caution when driving orperforming other hazardous activities until you know how this medication affectsyou chemical element lithium. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities chemical element lithium.
What is lithium?
• Lithium is a naturally occurring substance chemical element lithium. As a medication, lithiumreduces chemicals in the body that cause excitation or mania chemical element lithium.
• Lithium is used to treat manic episodes of manic-depressive illness chemical element lithium. Lithium helps to prevent and control symptoms of mania such as hyperactivity,rushed speech, poor judgment, reduced need for sleep, aggression, and anger chemical element lithium.
• Lithium may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide chemical element 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 chemical element 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 chemical element lithium.
• Lithium is in the FDA pregnancy category D chemical element lithium. This means that lithium isknown to be harmful to an unborn baby chemical element lithium. Do not take lithium without first talkingto your doctor if you are pregnant or are planning a pregnancy chemical element lithium.
• Lithium passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant chemical element lithium. Do nottake lithium without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feedinga baby chemical element lithium.
• Lithium may have greater effects in people over 65 years of age chemical element lithium. Yourdoctor may prescribe a lower dose or recommend special monitoring if you areover 65 years of age chemical element lithium.
How should I take lithium?
• Take lithium exactly as directed by your doctor chemical element lithium. If you do not understandthese directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you chemical element lithium.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water chemical element lithium.
• Do not crush, chew, or break any extended-release or controlled-releaseforms of lithium (e.g., Lithobid, Eskalith CR) chemical element lithium. They are specially formulatedto release slowly in the body chemical element lithium.
• Measure the liquid form of lithium with a dose-measuring spoon or cup,not with a regular table spoon chemical element lithium. If you do not have a dose-measuring device,ask your pharmacist where you can get one chemical element lithium.
• Maintain adequate fluid intake by drinking 8 to 12 glasses of water orother fluid every day while taking lithium chemical element lithium. Vigorous exercise, prolonged exposureto heat or sun, excessive sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting may cause dehydrationand side effects from lithium chemical element lithium. Call your doctor if you lose a significant amountof body fluid as a result of sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting chemical element lithium.
• Your doctor may want you to have regularly scheduled blood tests duringtreatment with lithium to monitor the amount of medication in your body chemical element lithium.
• Do not stop taking lithium without first talking to your doctor, evenif you begin to feel better chemical element lithium. Treatment with lithium may be necessary even ifyou are feeling well chemical element lithium.
• Store lithium at room temperature away from moisture and heat chemical element lithium.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember chemical element lithium. However, if it is almosttime for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take your next regularlyscheduled dose chemical element lithium. Do not take a double dose chemical element lithium.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention chemical element lithium.
• Symptoms of a lithium overdose include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness,weakness, decreased coordination, giddiness, blurred vision, ringing in theears, and seizures chemical element lithium.
What should I avoid while taking lithium?
• Lithium may cause dizziness or drowsiness chemical element lithium. Use caution when driving orperforming other hazardous activities until you know how this medication affectsyou chemical element lithium. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities chemical element lithium.
• Maintain adequate fluid intake by drinking 8 to 12 glasses of water orother fluid every day while taking lithium chemical element lithium. Vigorous exercise, prolonged exposureto heat or sun, excessive sweating, fever, diarrhea, or vomiting may cause dehydrationand side effects from lithium chemical element lithium. Call your doctor if you lose a significant amountof body fluid as a result of sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting chemical element lithium.
• Do not change the amount of salt that you consume in your diet chemical element lithium. Consumingmore or less salt could change the amount of lithium in your blood chemical element 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 chemical element lithium.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur chemical element 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 chemical element lithium.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur chemical element lithium. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effects that you experience chemical element 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) chemical element lithium.
• You may require special monitoring or a dosage adjustment if you aretaking any of the medicines listed above chemical element lithium.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with lithium chemical element lithium. Tellyour doctor and pharmacist about all other medicines that you take, includingover-the-counter preparations chemical element lithium. Do not take any medications without the approvalof your doctor chemical element lithium.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has more information about lithium written for healthprofessionals that you may read chemical element lithium.
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