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