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