Lithium

Pronunciation

Brand Names

Canadian/Mexican Brand Names

Therapeutic Categories

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used for the treatment of manic depression.
• Other uses include using lithium to help depression medicines work better, and treatment of aggressive behavior and post-traumatic stress disorder.

How does it work?

• Lithium changes the strength of chemicals like serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain.

How is it best taken?

• Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an upset stomach.
• Swallow sustained-release tablet whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
• A liquid (syrup) is available if you cannot swallow pills. Those who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Stop tube feeding first, flush tube well, give medicine. Flush tube well then restart tube feeding.
• Drink 8-10 glasses of liquid everyday unless told to drink less liquid by healthcare provider.
• Avoid caffeine-containing products.
• Keep salt in your diet the same. If you start on a low salt diet tell healthcare provider. It will change the way your body handles the lithium. Your lithium blood level will need checking within 2 weeks.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
• Do not change dose or stop medicine without talking with healthcare provider.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
• If you are 65 or older, you may have more side effects.
• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). May affect the way the body handles the lithium.
• You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or hobbies that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
• Limit caffeine (teas, coffee, colas) and chocolate intake. May affect the way the body handles the lithium.
• Use caution if you have a weakened heart. Some of the medicines used to treat a weakened heart and the low salt diet may change the lithium blood level. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Be careful in hot weather. Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control that you can trust while taking this medicine.
• Do not use if you are breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• Lightheadedness, feeling tired or weak. Use caution when driving, doing other tasks or hobbies that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
• Hand tremor or shakiness.
• Many trips to the bathroom to pass urine.
• Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
• Nausea. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.

What should I monitor?

• Check blood work. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Diarrhea, vomiting, unsteady walking, shakiness, feeling tired or weak.
• Changes in thinking clearly and logically.
• Dizziness or lightheadedness. These may be signs of dehydration.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store in a tight container at room temperature.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).

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