Lithium

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.

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 carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take lithium exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. 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 to 3 weeks or longer for you to feel the full benefit of lithium. Continue to take lithium even if you feel well. Do not stop taking lithium without talking to your doctor.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Lithium may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

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restlessness</li>
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fine hand movements that are difficult to control</li>
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loss of appetite</li>
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stomach pain or bloating</li>
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gas</li>
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indigestion</li>
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weight gain or loss</li>
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dry mouth</li>
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excessive saliva in the mouth</li>
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tongue pain</li>
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change in the ability to taste food</li>
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swollen lips</li>
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acne</li>
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hair loss</li>
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unusual discomfort in cold temperatures</li>
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constipation</li>
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depression</li>
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joint or muscle pain</li>
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thin, brittle fingernails or hair</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>Some side effects may be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

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tiredness</li>
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shaking of a part of your body that you cannot control</li>
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muscle weakness, stiffness, twitching, or tightness</li>
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loss of coordination</li>
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diarrhea</li>
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vomiting</li>
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excessive thirst</li>
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frequent urination</li>
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giddiness</li>
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ringing in the ears</li>
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slow, jerky movements</li>
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movements that are unusual or difficult to control</li>
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blackouts</li>
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seizures</li>
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slurred speech</li>
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fast, slow, irregular, or pounding heartbeat</li>
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chest tightness</li>
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confusion</li>
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hallucinations (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)</li>
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crossed eyes</li>
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painful, cold, or discolored fingers and toes</li>
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headache</li>
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pounding noises inside the head</li>
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changes in vision</li>
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paleness</li>
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itching</li>
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rash</li>
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swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, throat, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs</li></ul>Lithium may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you experience any unusual symptoms while you are taking this medication.If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before taking lithium, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to lithium or any other medications. tell 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 drugs (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. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had organic brain syndrome (any physical condition that affects the way your brain works); or thyroid, heart, or kidney disease. Also tell your doctor if you have severe diarrhea, excessive sweating, or fever. Call your doctor if you develop these symptoms during your treatment. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking lithium. 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.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911. Symptoms of overdose may include:

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diarrhea</li>
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vomiting</li>
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nausea</li>
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drowsiness</li>
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muscle weakness</li>
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loss of coordination</li></ul>