Should i take lithium for bipolar

Do not crush or chew extended release tablets. Use a calendar, pillbox, alarm clock, or cell phone alert to help you remember to take your medication. You may also ask a family member or a friend to remind you or check in with you to be sure you are taking your medication. If you miss a dose of lithium, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is closer to the time of your next dose.

Discuss this with your healthcare provider. Do not double your dose or take more than what is prescribed. Avoid drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs while you are taking lithium. They may decrease the benefits e.

Avoid excessive intake of caffeinated beverages, such as coffee, tea, cola or energy drinks, since these may decrease levels of lithium and decrease effectiveness of the medication. Discontinuing caffeine use may increase lithium levels. Consult your healthcare provider before reducing or stopping caffeine use. If an overdose occurs call your doctor or You may need urgent medical care. You may also contact the poison control center at A specific treatment to reverse the effects of lithium does not exist, but there are treatments to decrease the effects of the medication.

Only a doctor can determine if you require treatment. Signs of lithium toxicity include severe nausea and vomiting, severe hand tremors, confusion, vision changes, and unsteadiness while standing or walking.

These symptoms need to be addressed immediately with a medical doctor to ensure your lithium level is not dangerously high. In rare cases, lithium may lead to a reversible condition known as diabetes insipidus. If this occurs you would notice a significant increase in thirst and how much fluid you drink and how much you urinate. Talk to your doctor if you notice you are urinating more frequently than usual.

Rare kidney problems have been associated with long-term use of lithium. The risk increases with high levels of lithium. Your doctor will monitor your kidney function at routine check-ups to ensure this does not occur. It is very important to tell your doctor how you feel things are going during the first few weeks after you start taking lithium. It will probably take several weeks to see big enough changes in your symptoms to decide if lithium is the right medication for you.

Mood stabilizer treatment is generally needed lifelong for persons with bipolar disorder. Your doctor can best discuss the duration of treatment you need based on your symptoms and illness.

Lithium toxicity is closely related to lithium blood levels and can occur at doses close to therapeutic levels; lithium levels should be monitored closely when starting the medication or if individuals experience side effects of the medication.

Last Updated: January This information is being provided as a community outreach effort of the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists. Some of the side effects that a person experiences when first taking lithium tend to disappear with time. Sometimes, a doctor may have difficulty telling whether a person is depressed or experiencing cognitive dulling due to lithium treatment. People who take lithium require regular blood tests as lithium can build up in the blood and become toxic at high levels.

According to the package insert for lithium , levels higher than 1. A person whose lithium levels are higher than 2. Experts consider lithium levels above 3. These levels can cause organ failure and even death. Although the associated symptoms above provide an idea of what to expect, it is important to realize that side effects can happen at different blood concentrations.

That is, for example, some people may experience tinnitus at levels below 2. No currently available medication can treat a lithium overdose.

Treatment generally involves monitoring the person, correcting their electrolyte levels, and performing dialysis to filter their blood. The most concerning side effects of long term lithium use are hypothyroidism and kidney problems. According to a review article , these side effects are most likely to affect women below the age of 60 years. They are also more common among people with higher-than-average concentrations of lithium in the blood. According to the package insert for lithium , prolonged use of this drug can affect the ability of the kidneys to concentrate urine.

This impairment can cause a condition called nephrogenic diabetes insipidus NDI. Symptoms include extreme thirst and frequent urination. NDI can cause dehydration and a rise in blood lithium levels.

These effects can be toxic to both the kidneys and the rest of the body. People who take lithium require regular monitoring of their sodium levels and kidney function.

If these tests indicate even slight issues with the kidneys, a doctor may prescribe a lower dosage of lithium. Alternatively, they may recommend a different medication altogether.

Hypothyroidism is another concern for those taking lithium. In a person with hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones. A person who is taking lithium will need to undergo regular tests to monitor their thyroid function. Bipolar Disord 20 — Lithium vs. World Psychiatry 15 1 —8. What is the optimal serum level for lithium in the maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder?

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