Lithium

Drug Index

Lithium compounds, also known as lithium salts, are primarily used as a psychiatric medication.[2] They are primarily used to treat bipolar disorder and treat major depressive disorder that does not improve following the use of antidepressants.[2] In these disorders, it reduces the risk of suicide.[3] Lithium is taken orally.[2] Common side effects include increased urination, shakiness of the hands, and increased thirst.&#91...

Lithium 300 milligrams is it safe to try it to see if it stabilizes my mood? I tend to be hyperactive and have a hard time relaxing. ## Hello, Chimi! How are you? Has your doctor prescribed it? This is a very potent medication, so it shouldn't be something you just take experimentally. Are you on any other medications? Because that's also a very important factor which must be considered. Do you have any diagnosed medical conditions? ## My best friend was taking it for over 6 years, he was making weird movements and yelling out weird noises was scary, plus it kills your liver, he's off of it now on pail and Ambien, he tried serequil at night to sleep but said it was making him feel paranoid and terrified at night same thing happened to me when I took it, it does make you slee...

2 REPLIES

I take 5 mg of altace (ramipril) daily for high bp. Can I take lithium orotate along with the Altace for depression? ## Hello, Nick! How are you? No, the Lithium really shouldn't be taken with an ACE inhibitor, because they tend to increase its toxicity, which may be dangerous. Has your doctor prescribed them both for you? What other antidepressants have you tried? ## Ok thanks. I'm not currently taking any antidepressants but heard very good things about lithium orotate. I have tried ssri's in the past and they don't seem to help.

2 REPLIES

I would like to know if lithium is a narcotic? I'm having Mohs surgery on thursday and I have A LOT of anxiety & fear building up! I already had 1 procedure done this past thursday, where they had to give me 5 stitches. ## No, it is not a narcotic, it is most commonly used to treat various mental health issues, as well as severe headaches. The FDA lists its typical side effects as possibly including nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, and diarrhea. However, it can sometimes interfere with surgical anesthesia, so it would be best not to take it, without checking with your doctor. Is there anything else I can help with?

1 REPLY

For Bi-Polar ## 1 would like to find the side effects of lithium carbonate ## Im bipolar and I've been on lithium about 9 mths now. At first I thought it was a miracle drug..although I felt better I started gaining weight! I've gained 60lbs and I'm more upset about that then my bipolar! ## I've had same problem, but it is by far best mood stabalizer for me. I have to watch food intake , but weight gain can be controlled. Good luck hun ## I was put on Seroquel for bipolar and gained 60 pounds. I started of weighing 100 and am 5"3 so it was a big issue for me. My doctor switched me to lithium and all the weight went away. Maybe your the opposite of me?? Have you tried Seroquel? Or Elavil? While on both of those together I felt get but gained weight. So maybe you're...

4 REPLIES

I was hoping somebody may be able to help me. I was taking 2x250mg tabs of LITHICARB morning & night & due to weight gain weened myself off of them approx 4 weeks ago. I felt fine at first however the last two weeks have suffered badly from depression & feel extremely angry. Some days I am ok but have felt worse & worse. Do you think this could be the fact that I've stopped the Lithicarb? I am puzzled as I felt fine at first. I have been feeling a little off colour & often get depressed when unwell but this seems extreme. Thanks in advance. ## Hello, Aj! How are you doing? Are you still suffering depression? What were you taking it to treat? It isn't a cure, it just helps with the symptoms, so if you were taking it to control manic depression or some similar ...

2 REPLIES

I have been on Lithium for 15 yrs and do great while on it. Whenever I've tried to taper it, I decompensate quickly. How bad is it for me to be on Lithium my whole life? (I do have tests every year or so for kidneys, EKG, etc., and so far, no problems) ## Drugs effect different people in different ways, no one will have the same reaction to taking them and the same effects from the length of time on them. The only way to decide if it is safe for you to take them for many more years is to discuss this with your doctor.

1 REPLY

Is it safe to take Seroquel and Lithium at the same time? ## According to UCLA Health, there is a potential for moderate interactions between these drugs. If you have been prescribed Lithum and Seroquel in conjunction with each other, be sure to work with your doctor so that they can monitor your progress. ## Can Seroquel be taken safely with Lithium?

2 REPLIES

I started taking 10mg Brintellix 2 weeks ago ( also taking lithium). After weaning of mirtazipine - what a nightmare!!!!. I have been constantly sick , suffering insomnia, mood swings, no appetite,etc. Is this normal crossover symptoms and do I give the Brintellix more time?? .I have tried nearly every antidepressant around. Was really hoping this one would be "it". I appreciate any feed back. Thanks ## Hello, Carn! How are you? Yes, those may be withdrawal symptoms coupled with side effects. The only way to find out is to give it a few more weeks and see if things settle down and you start to feel better. You may also experience dizziness, headache and weight changes. If things don't improve after about a month of being on it, then you should inform your doctor. Is there an...

2 REPLIES

Greyish purple capsule- 300mg on body, g221 on cap. My previous refills were always a peach color (with the same information printed on the capsule). ## Yes, same medication, they can change the color any time they want to, there are no regulations saying they always have to keep it the same. Lithium is a mood stablizer. Common side effects may include: nausea, drowsiness and dizziness. Is there anything else I can help you with? ## How long does it take for the Lithium 300mg Capsule to get out of your body?

2 REPLIES

I am 22 and have had depression for as long as I can remember. After many failed attempts of "natural" methods (medicine, acupuncture, neurofeedback) I went to a psychiatrist and am now taking Lithium carbonate 300mg for a week. So far I don't feel any difference. I've been reading other people's experiences and they at least report minor side effects for the first few days or week like being sleepy or losing train of thought. I haven't felt a thing. I know my depression is deep and I might need a bigger dose, but shouldn't I have at least felt SOMETHING by now? Thanks in advance ## Dear Nikinice, my dad suffered from severe depression and after trying a bunch of meds, they put him on lithium. Sometimes it can take a little longer 4 some people 2 feel it work...

2 REPLIES

FOUR YEARS AGO MY (OLD) pcpput me on lithium. Why? i 'had a friend' i suspected was suffering from bi polar symptoms and spoke with him about it. i ended up on lithium for a little over a year, until i woke up, briefly, one day and found a new doctor, female, too! Although lithium left my life forever, the depression it left behind is unbearable. Doc and I have tried everything, from prozac to effexor and now prystic. I can't quiot crying. All day long, sometimes from memories sometimes for no reason what so ever. Doc sqys my life isn't anything to jump for joy about, but agrees, somethinbg is seriously wrong and she suspect the lithium, now three years past, is to blame. i take alot of drugs, hpt, sinemet, RLS: pain meds for fibromyalgia and broken back and hips, klonop...

9 REPLIES

My psychiatrist prescribed me 450 mg of lithium twice a day. I'm supposed to take my first dose tonight but i'm VERY afraid it's going to harm me. I am also taking 5mg of Risperdal and a half a mg of Klonopin as needed for anxiety. I've read a lot of horror stories about Lithium and i'm afraid that the first dose could hurt me. Should i be worried? ## Hello, Amanda! How are you? Lithium is most commonly used to treat the manic episodes of manic depression. As to the horror stories, I want to make you aware that mostly what you'll find online are tales from people that have had problems with a medication, because the millions that are taking it successfully, without problems have no need to go hunting information online about it. Thus, what you're reading is r...

1 REPLY

l lost my mother to Lithium Poisoning/Toxicity last year. Although this drug has been around so long, I need to express my concerns. Why are there no REAL rules and regulations regarding how drug is dispensed and monitored? Her life could have been saved if the proper levels were taken as they should have been.I thought that a physician is supposed to take levels at least every 3 months? The doctor also had her on celexa, which I think complicated things even more. I wish there was an advocacy group or regulations that could bring awareness and try to protect people from this deadly drug and its dangers. My mother accidentally got the wrong dose and no labs for 18 months. She died 15 days after levels reach toxic and became flu like symptoms. Please be careful if you are taking this dru...

6 REPLIES

JUST WONDERING IF THERE WAS ANY AMOUNT OF LITHIUM IN THE MEDICATION PRESTIQUE ## No, Pristiq contains the active ingredient Desvenlafaxine, it is an SNRI antidepressant. Side effects may include nausea, dizziness, dry mouth and weight changes. You can learn more Pristiq details here. Are there any questions or comments? Is there anything else I can help with?

1 REPLY

What are the side effects when Lithium and Metformin are taken together? ## I checked both WebMD and MedScape and there were no interactions found between these 2 drugs. However, you should still confirm everything with your doctor since they are familiar with your medical history.

1 REPLY

iv heard some talk about this drug , where can it be bought at , do I need a doctor to prescribe it .... ## Apparently there is a book called "Miracle from the Vault" (by the Health Sciences Institute) that's supposed to tell you what it is and where you can get it at. I for one haven't come across any specific details regarding H-86 outside of what some users have been posting here on the site. So far everything from wheat germ to weight loss, or diabetes have been mentioned, so unfortunately it's hard to say what's real and what isn't. What I can do is redirect you to another discussion thread here that may offer more information on the topic: Discuss/h-86-cancer-cure-250866.htm If you find out a legitimate source for H-86, I'd be interested in hearing ...

1 REPLY

Dr. Says dangerous to quit c.t. I want to quit feel they are harming me ## Hi Steve, Based on my findings from PubMed, it's recommended that you discontinue use via a gradual tapering process. Reason being is that Lithium has been known to cause withdrawal symptoms with abrupt discontinuation, and even if you were to only miss it for just a few days. PubMed goes on to describe Lithium withdrawal to be more so associated with an increased risk of relapse or recurrences of the condition you're using it to treat (e.g. bi polar disorder); especially within the first few weeks. Ref: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12404784 That said, it sounds like it would be best to work closely with your Dr. on a dosing regimen that titrates your overall usage of the drug over time, in order to lessen any...

1 REPLY

I was told that Lithium can cause birth defects is that true? ## You need to discuss this with your doctor, if you are pregnany and on Lithium, they will weigh the risks and benefits of using the medication while pregnant and advise you. ## Lithium (Eskalith®, Eskalith CR®, Lithobid®) is a prescription medication approved for treating bipolar disorder. It is generally considered unsafe for pregnant women to take the drug. In human and animal studies, lithium increased the chance of problems for the fetus, including birth defects. ## Can prozac cause birth defects in unborn babies?

3 REPLIES

Hello, I take risperidone and lithium for bi polar. My Dr. prescribed contrave for weight loss. Are these two safe to use with contrave? ## Hello, Christina! How are you? The FDA does list a warning that combining Lithium with Contrave may cause seizures, so it would likely be best to double check with your doctor, before taking it. Side effects are listed as possibly including nausea, dizziness, insomnia, and nervousness. Has anyone taken this combination? ## I take lithium and the combination of contract and lithium made me so sick and nauseous and I was only on the first week so only taking one pill

2 REPLIES