Lithium (By mouth)
LITH-ee-um
Treats and helps prevent manic episodes of bipolar disorder.
Drug classes
Antimanic, Hematopoietic, Nutriceutical (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Lithium is used to treat mania that is part of bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness). It is also used on a daily basis to reduce the frequency and severity of manic episodes. Manic-depressive patients experience severe mood changes, ranging from an excited or manic state (e.g., unusual anger or irritability or a false sense of well-being) to depression or sadness.
It is not known how lithium works to stabilize a person’s mood. However, it does act on the central nervous system. It helps you to have more control over your emotions and helps you cope better with the problems of living.
It is important that you and your family understand all the effects of this medicine. These effects depend on your individual condition and response and the amount of lithium you use. You also must know when to contact your doctor if there are problems with using the medicine.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, lithium is used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:
Cluster headaches.
Mental depression.
Neutropenia (a blood condition where there is a decreased number of a certain type of white blood cells).
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Capsule, Liquid, Tablet, Long Acting Tablet
Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
There are several different forms of lithium. The dose for each is different and they are used at different times of the day. Do not change the type of medicine you take without talking to your doctor first.
Carefully follow your doctor’s instructions about any special diet. Be sure you have enough salt in your diet. It is also very important that you drink 11 to 14 eight-ounce cups of liquids every day.
Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.
Swallow the capsule or tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Use only the brand of medicine your doctor prescribed. Other brands may not work the same way.
If a dose is missed:
Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Make sure your doctor knows if you also use acetazolamide (Diamox®), carbamazepine (Tegretol®), methyldopa (Aldomet®), metronidazole (Flagyl®), phenytoin (Dilantin®), potassium iodide, sodium bicarbonate, or urea (Ureaphil®). Tell your doctor if you are also using an antacid, medicine to treat asthma (such as theophylline, Slo-Bid®, or Theo-Dur®), or muscle relaxants (such as pancuronium, tubocurarine, vecuronium, or Pavulon®).
Make sure your doctor knows if you also use blood pressure medicine (such as captopril, diltiazem, enalapril, losartan, nifedipine, verapamil, Accupril®, Adalat®, Lotrel®, Procardia®, Vasotec®, Verelan®, or Zestril®), a diuretic or water pill (such as furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, torsemide, Demadex®, Hyzaar®, or Lasix®), or pain or arthritis medicine (such as celecoxib, ibuprofen, indomethacin, naproxen, piroxicam, rofecoxib, valdecoxib, Advil®, Celebrex®, Daypro®, Feldene®, Indocin®, Motrin®, Relafen®, or Voltaren®). Tell your doctor if you are using other medicine to treat mental illness (such as haloperidol, Haldol®) or medicine for depression (such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, Celexa®, Effexor®, Lexapro™, Paxil®, Prozac®, or Zoloft®).
When Not To Use
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to lithium or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Do not give the extended-release tablets to anyone younger than 12 years of age.
Warnings
It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
Make sure your doctor knows if you have kidney problems, heart disease, brain disease, nervous system problems, thyroid problems, or a history of mineral imbalance (such as high or low amounts of potassium, calcium, or sodium in your blood).
Stop using this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have diarrhea, vomiting, drowsiness, muscle weakness, tremors, unsteadiness, or other problems with muscle control or coordination.
Make sure your doctor knows if you have a heart disorder called Brugada syndrome. Call your doctor or the emergency department right away if you have a fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat; unexplained fainting; lightheadedness; or shortness of breath after you take this medicine. Brugada syndrome can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.
Encephalopathic syndrome (brain problem) may occur in patients who take this medicine together with haloperidol (Haldol®). Check with your doctor right away if you have a fever, confusion, drowsiness, difficulty with speaking, uncontrolled body movements, and unusual tiredness or weakness while taking this medicine.
Call your doctor if you have a fever or diarrhea or if you sweat heavily. This could affect how your medicine works.
Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Change in how much or how often you urinate
Confusion, problems with walking or balance, muscle movements you cannot control
Diarrhea, vomiting, tremors, or drowsiness
Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
Fever
Lightheadedness or fainting
Unusual tiredness or weakness
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
General feeling of discomfort
Mild nausea
Mild thirst
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Eskalith, Eskalith-CR, Lith-Oro, Lithate, Lithobid
There may be other brand names for this medicine.