Lithium

Lithium helps control extreme mood swings related to manic – depressive illnesses. This medication helps you overcome, reduce and eventually prevent mood swings, which cause disturbances in one’s day – to – day activities, helping one to maintain a calm, balanced state of mind.

Furthermore, Lithium may also be described as a white, light alkaline powder and is an element that belongs to the alkali – metal group.

Visit your health care professional at regular intervals to make sure that Lithium is working properly. You must also be certain that you do not miss any laboratory test appointments, so that undesired side effects can easily be avoided. However, this medication may not take complete effect if you drink large amounts of coffee, tea or colas. While on an ongoing course of Lithium make sure you consult your health care professional to know exactly how you take to this medication before you drive or use any kind of heavy machinery, since you may get dizzy, drowsy or become less alert than usual while under the effects of Lithium.
Exert extra caution in hot weather and during activities that cause you to sweat heavily, such as hot baths, saunas or exercise regimes. Loss of too much water and salt from your body while on Lithium, could lead to repercussions.

Furthermore, you must consult your health care professional if you are suffering from an infection or illness which causes you to sweat profusely, vomit or pass loose stools. While taking Lithium it is better that you do not go on any sort of diet to lose weight and avoid making any major alterations in your diet even if necessary, without first consulting your health care professional, since an improper diet could cause the loss of too much salt and water from your body.
Those patients taking the slow – release capsules or the extended – release tablets, must not use this medication in combination with another without first consulting their respective health care professionals.

Lithium is also used to help treat feelings of irritability or anxiousness, aggressive or hostile behavior, rapid or loud speech and occasional bouts of mild depression as well.

Lithium tablets must be taken orally, with a drink of water. You must make sure to follow the instructions provided on the prescription label. Take this medication after a meal or snack to avoid an upset stomach. Lithium tablets must be taken at regular intervals, but not more often than directed by your health care professional. It is important that you do not discontinue this medication unless your health care professional has consented.

While on an ongoing course of Lithium if you notice any of the symptoms listed below, or any other symptoms which may seem severe or persistent, you must contact your health care professional.

Sometimes, Lithium may also cause a patient to experience diarrhea, drowsiness, loss of appetite, muscle weakness, nausea and vomiting.

Furthermore, Lithium may also cause a patient to experience slurred speech, blurred vision, clumsiness or loss of balance, confusion, dizziness and trembling.

Sometimes, Lithium interacts with various medications, such as Sibutramine, Acetazolamide, Captopril, Losartan, Enalapril, Valsartan, Lisinopril, Psyllium, Verapamil and Diltiazem.

Furthermore, Lithium interacts with various medications, such as Nifedipine, Chlorpromazine, Haloperidol, Thiothixene, Methyldopa, Celecoxib, Ibuprofen, Metronidazole, Naproxen and Indomethacin.

Lastly, Lithium interacts with various medications, such as Piroxicam, Carbamazepine, Phenytoin, Fluoxetine, Amitriptyline, Paroxetine, Fluvoxamine, Hydrochlorothiazide, Furosemide and Sodium Bicarbonate.

If you miss a dose of Lithium, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is within four hours (about six hours for extended – release tablets or slow – release capsules) of your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

Keep Lithium out of the reach of children and store the medication away from heat and direct light. It is important that you do not store this medication in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink or in other damp places. It is necessary for you to keep in mind that heat or moisture may cause the components of Lithium to break down. Make sure that the syrup form of this medication does not freeze. If you have a prescribed dosage of Lithium that is outdated or which you no longer need, be sure that you consult your pharmacist or health care professional regarding the appropriate method by which this medication should be discarded.

It is very important for the patient to know that before consuming Lithium they must inform their health care professional if they have ever had a history of, or are currently suffering from, complications of the heart, urinary complications such as difficulty while passing urine, hypothyroidism, kidney complications or seizures.

Furthermore, it is very important for the patient to know that before consuming Lithium they must inform their health care professional if they have ever had a history of, or are currently suffering from, Parkinson`s disease, Leukemia, dehydration or Psoriasis (a type of skin disorder).

Lastly, it is also very important for the patient to know that Lithium does pass into breast milk and hence, they must inform their health care professional if they plan on becoming pregnant or if they get pregnant while on an ongoing course of this medication.