How can I reduce the side effects of lithium?
Help Alleviate Side Effects
- Taking your medication with food to avoid abdominal upset or nausea.
- Using an anti-diarrheal medication for a time, until your system adjusts to the lithium.
- Taking doses throughout the day instead of using an extended-release form.
- Sucking on a sugar-free lozenge to relieve dry mouth.
How long does it take for lithium side effects to go away?
feeling tired or sleepy – as your body gets used to lithium, these side effects should wear off. If these symptoms do not get better within a week or two, your doctor may either reduce your dose or increase it more slowly. If that does not work you may need to switch to a different medicine.
How long does it take for your body to get used to lithium?
About 75% of people who take lithium for bipolar disorder have some side effects, although they may be minor. They may become less troublesome after a few weeks as your body adjusts to the drug. Sometimes, side effects of lithium can be relieved by tweaking the dose.
What are the long term side effects of lithium carbonate?
With long-term use, lithium can cause chronic tubulo-interstitial nephritis, which is characterized by a decrease in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and may lead to chronic kidney disease (lithium nephropathy) (97, 98).
How do you treat lithium toxicity at home?
When caught early, lithium toxicity is often treatable with extra hydration and reducing your dosage. However, moderate to severe lithium toxicity is a medical emergency and might require additional treatment, such as stomach pumping.
What is the most concerning side effect of lithium?
Call your doctor right away if you have diarrhea, vomiting, drowsiness, muscle weakness, tremors, unsteadiness, or other problems with muscle control or coordination. These may be symptoms of lithium toxicity.
How much water should I drink on lithium?
If you take lithium in the morning, do not take it until after your blood work is done. It is important to drink 8-12 glasses of water/fluid every day.
Can lithium cause permanent damage?
Untreated cases of lithium toxicity can also lead to permanent complications, such as brain damage, kidney damage, and serotonin syndrome.
How do you recover from lithium toxicity?
Is lithium toxicity an emergency?
Untreated, severe, or chronic cases of lithium toxicity can be fatal, so it is important for people taking lithium to learn the signs and symptoms of toxicity. If they notice any of these, they should seek medical care as soon as possible. If a person has taken a large dose of lithium, they will need emergency care.
Is lithium well tolerated?
Lithium is generally well tolerated. However, adverse events, such as hypothyroidism, renal dysfunctions, and cognitive side effects have to be weighed against the benefits. Special care is strongly recommended when discontinuing lithium, as rapid withdrawal may lead to severe side-effects.
Can lithium damage your brain?
Serum lithium levels of 1.5-2.0 mM may have mild and reversible toxic effects on kidney, liver, heart, and glands. Serum levels of >2 mM may be associated with neurological symptoms, including cerebellar dysfunction. Prolonged lithium intoxication >2 mM can cause permanent brain damage.
Can lithium make you feel emotionless?
It is seen by patients, and some psychiatrists, as a dangerous drug. People rightly have suspicions about it. Patients say that the downsides include emotional numbing – feeling that you aren’t connected with your feelings – as well as tremors,” said Dr Joseph Hayes, a psychiatrist at University College London.
What are the long – term effects of lithium carbonate?
Blurred vision
What are the side effects of high lithium levels?
– Vomiting or severe nausea – Coarse trembling of hands or legs – Frequent muscle twitching such as pronounced jerking of arms or legs 3 (long term neurologic issues after lithium toxicity) – Blurred vision – Marked dizziness – Difficulty walking – Slurred speech – Irregular heartbeat 2 (ECG changes in lithium use) – Swelling of the feet or lower legs
Does lithium have any side effects?
The most common side effects of lithium are feeling or being sick, diarrhoea, a dry mouth and a metallic taste in the mouth. Your doctor will carry out regular blood tests to check how much lithium is in your blood. The results will be recorded in your lithium record book.
Does lithium carbonate cause weight loss?
The mood-stabilizing drug lithium remains an effective mainstay of treatment for bipolar disorder —but unfortunately, it can cause weight gain. Although the possibility of gaining weight while taking lithium is well known, this side effect does not affect everyone who takes the medication.