Lithium



Eskalith®[DSC]; Eskalith CR®; Lithobid®







Lithium

(LITH ee um)

U.S. Brand Names
Eskalith®[DSC]; Eskalith CR®; Lithobid®
Canadian Brand Names
Apo-Lithium®; Apo-Lithium® Carbonate SR; Carbolith™; Duralith®; Lithane™; PMS-Lithium Carbonate; PMS-Lithium Citrate
Mexican Brand Names
Carbolit®; Litheum®
Pharmacologic Category
Lithium
Reasons not to take this medicine
  • If you have an allergy to lithium or any other part of this medicine.
  • 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, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • If you have any of the following conditions: Dehydration, kidney disease, poor nutritional status, or severe heart disease.
  • If you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
  • If you are breast-feeding.
What is this medicine used for?
  • This medicine is used to help depression medicines work better.
  • This medicine is used to treat aggressive behavior.
  • This medicine is used to treat manic depression.
  • This medicine is used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder.
How does it work?
  • Lithium is a mood stabilizer.
  • It works on improving social interactions, mood, expression of mood, as well as, delusions, paranoia, and appearance.
How is it best taken?
  • Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
  • Drink plenty of noncaffeine-containing liquid unless told to drink less liquid by healthcare provider.
  • Keep salt intake constant.
  • Long-acting products: Swallow 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. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine is given.
  • Stop tube feeding before giving this medicine and restart after giving.
What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)
  • Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
  • Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
  • Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
  • If you are 65 or older, use this medicine with caution. You could have more side effects.
  • If you have a weakened heart, talk with healthcare provider. Some of the medicines and diet used to treat a weakened heart may change the lithium blood level.
  • Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
  • You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities until you see how this medicine affects you.
  • If you start on a low salt diet, tell healthcare provider. It will change the way your body handles the lithium.
  • Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor).
  • Limit caffeine (for example, tea, coffee, cola) and chocolate intake. Use with this medicine may cause nervousness, shakiness, and fast heartbeat.
  • Be careful in hot weather. Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
  • Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine.
What are some possible side effects of this medicine?
  • Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this medicine affects you.
  • Shakiness.
  • Headache.
  • Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
  • Frequent urination.
What should I monitor?
  • Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
  • Check blood work regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.
  • Follow up with healthcare provider.
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
  • If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center immediately or dial 911.
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Severe dizziness.
  • Significant change in balance.
  • Significant change in thinking clearly and logically.
  • Severe nausea or vomiting.
  • Excessive perspiration or dehydration.
  • Feeling extremely tired or weak.
  • Any rash.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
How should I store this medicine?
  • Store at room temperature.
  • Protect capsules and tablets from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
General statements
  • If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
  • 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, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
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