Lithium

CAUTION:
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to lithium.

General Information and Indications:

Lithium is used to treat and prevent episodes of mania (frenzied, abnormally excited mood) in people with bipolar disorder (manic depressive disorder; a disease that causes episodes of depression, episodes of mania, and other abnormal moods). Lithium is in a class of medications called antimanic agents. It works by decreasing abnormal activity in the brain.

Information For Users:

Lithium comes as a tablet, capsule, extended-release (long-acting) tablet, and solution (liquid) to take by mouth. The tablets, capsules, and solution are usually taken three to four times a day.The extended-release tablets are usually taken two to three times a day. Take lithium at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label, ask your doctor or pharmacist If you have any questions. Take lithium exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your health care provider.

Swallow the extended-release tablet whole; do not split, chew, or crush it.

Your doctor may increase or decrease the dose of your medication during your treatment. Follow these directions carefully.

Lithium may help to control your condition but will not cure it. It may take 1–3 weeks or longer for you to feel the full benefit of lithium. Continue taking lithium even if you feel well. Do not discontinue taking lithium without informing your doctor.
Other uses for this medicine

Lithium is also sometimes used to treat certain blood disorders, depression, schizophrenia (a mental illness that causes disturbed or unusual thinking, loss of interest in life, and strong or inappropriate emotions), disorders of impulse control (inability to resist the urge to perform a harmful action), and certain mental illnesses in children. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication for your condition.

Special precautions:

o Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have allergy to lithium or any other medications.
o Inform your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: acetazolamide (Diamox); aminophylline; angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik);angiotensin II receptor antagonists such as candesartan (Atacand), eprosartan (Teveten), irbesartan (Avapro), losartan (Cozaar), olmesartan (Benicar), telmisartan (Micardis), and valsartan (Diovan); antacids such as sodium bicarbonate; caffeine (found in certain medications to treat drowsiness and headaches); calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac, others), felodipine (Plendil), isradipine (DynaCirc), nicardipine (Cardene), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), nimodipine (Nimotop), nisoldipine (Sular), and verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan);carbamazepine (Tegretol); diuretics ('water pills'); medications for mental illness such as haloperidol (Haldol); methyldopa (Aldomet); metronidazole (Flagyl); nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as celecoxib (Celebrex), indomethacin (Indocin), and piroxicam (Feldene); potassium iodide; phenytoin (Dilantin); selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram (Celexa), duloxetine (Cymbalta), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft); and theophylline (Theolair, Theochron). Your doctor may have to change the doses of your medication or monitor you more carefully for side effects.
o inform your doctor if you are breast-feeding organic brain syndrome (any physical condition that affects the way your brain works); or thyroid, heart, or kidney disease. Also Inform your doctor if you have severe diarrhea, excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), or fever. Call your doctor if you develop these symptoms during your treatment.
o Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking lithium, call your doctor.
o if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, Inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking lithium.
o you should know that this medication may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.

It is important to follow a proper diet, including the right amounts of fluid and salt during your treatment. Your doctor will give you specific directions about the diet that is right for you. Follow these directions carefully.

Possible Adverse Effects:

Lithium may cause adverse effects. Inform your doctor if any of the following symptoms are severe or do not go away:

o restlessness
o fine hand movements that are difficult to control
o loss of appetite (anorexia)
o stomach pain or bloating
o gas
o indigestion
o weight gain or loss
o dry mouth
o excessive saliva in the mouth
o tongue pain
o change in the ability to taste food
o swollen lips
o acne
o hair loss
o unusual discomfort in cold temperatures
o constipation
o depression
o joint or muscle pain
o thin, brittle fingernails or hair

Some side effects may be serious. If you have any of the following symptoms, call your doctor without delay:

o tiredness
o shaking of a part of your body that you cannot control
o muscle weakness, stiffness, twitching, or tightness
o loss of coordination
o diarrhea
o vomiting
o excessive thirst
o frequent urination
o giddiness
o ringing in the ears
o slow, jerky movements
o movements that are unusual or difficult to control
o blackouts
o seizures
o slurred speech
o fast, slow, irregular, or pounding heartbeat
o chest tightness
o confusion
o hallucinations (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)
o crossed eyes
o painful, cold, or discolored fingers and toes
o headache
o pounding noises inside the head
o changes in vision
o paleness
o itching
o rash
o swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, throat, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs

Possible Symptoms of Overdose:

o diarrhea
o vomiting
o upset stomach
o drowsiness
o muscle weakness
o loss of coordination

Brand Name(s):

o Eskalith CR®
o Eskalith®
o Lithobid®