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