Lithium: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What Medicine Lithium?

What is Lithium for?

Lithium is a medication for mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder causes sufferers to experience extreme mood swings. These mood swings occur in 2 phases, namely an upward phase (manic episode) and a downward phase (depression).

Doctors can also give this drug to patients who have chronic depression and schizophrenia. In general, these drugs work by increasing certain chemical compounds in the nervous system and brain. By taking medication, patients with mental illness will feel calmer and more relaxed.

This drug can also be used to treat eating disorders such as anorexia and bulmia, as well as blood disorders including anemia and neutropenia (low white blood cells).

It doesn't stop there, in fact this drug can also be used to treat conditions such as:

• Alcoholism
• Epilepsy
• Headache
• Liver disease
• Kidney disorders
• Arthritis
• Seborrhea skin disease
• Hyperthyroidsm
• Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Lithium can also be used for other things that are not mentioned in the following reviews. Please ask your doctor directly to find out more about this drug.

It is important to know, lithium is a strong drug whose use must be closely monitored by a doctor. Make sure this drug is used as recommended by the doctor in order to avoid the risk of dangerous side effects.

How do I use Lithium?

Use this medication exactly as directed by your doctor. Follow all the instructions for using the medicine listed on the prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets carefully. Don't hesitate to ask your doctor if you don't really understand how to use it.

Make sure you are not taking more, less, or longer lithium medications than recommended. Improper use can decrease the effectiveness of the drug and increase the risk of side effects.

Each person will probably get a different dose. This is because the dosage is adjusted to the health condition and the patient's response to treatment.

For this reason, this drug is not recommended to be given to other people. In fact, even if they show symptoms similar to yours. Your doctor may change your dose from time to time to make sure you are getting the best benefit from this drug.

For tablets, drink directly with a glass of water without crushing it. Ask your doctor when to take this medicine, whether before or after eating.

Also make sure that the measurements are according to the instructions on the packaging instructions. Do not use a tablespoon at home to take syrup medication. The reason is, it is difficult to measure it with the right dose.

So that you remember, take this medicine at the same time every day. You can also make a reminder on your cellphone or notebook if you have to take this medication in a certain cycle.

While taking this medicine, try to drink more so you avoid dehydration. Dehydration can increase some of the side effects of lithium.

Use this medication for the length of time prescribed by your doctor. Even if your symptoms have improved, do not stop treatment. Don't forget to tell your doctor about the progress of your condition. Tell your doctor right away if your condition does not improve or gets worse.

How do I store Lithium?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it.

Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed.

Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Lithium dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of Lithium for adults?

In principle, each person will probably get a different dose of the drug. This is because the dosage is adjusted to the health condition and the patient's response to treatment. Please consult a doctor for more information.

You should also tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately if your condition does not improve or gets worse. Your doctor may give you other drugs that are more suitable and safer for your condition.

What is the dosage of Lithium for children?

Dosage for children is based on their age and body weight. Doctors also consider the child's health condition and response to medication.

Therefore, the dosage of medicine for each child can be different. To find out the exact dose, please consult directly to a doctor.

In what dosage is Lithium available?

Lithium is available in tablet form with a strength of 300 mg.

Lithium side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to Lithium?

Like drugs in general, lithium also has the potential to cause side effects from mild to severe. Some of the most common side effects that patients often complain about after taking this medicine include:

• Mild tremor to the hands
• The body feels weak and weak
• Nausea and vomiting
• Stomach ache
• Diarrhea
• Weight loss
• Irregular pulse and heart
• Often feel thirsty and urinate
• Feelings of confusion or in a daze
• Decreased memory
• Frequent shortness of breath, especially after strenuous activity
• Trigger or worsen acne, psoriasis, and rashes

Stop use and seek medical attention immediately if you experience the following side effects:

• Feelings like they might pass out
• Pain or burning when urinating
• Pale skin, shortness of breath, fast heart rate, head tilted, and difficulty concentrating
• Hallucinations
• Continue to feel restless
• Heart beating fast
• Early signs of lithium poisoning, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, muscle weakness, tremors, blurred vision, or ringing in the ears

This medication can also cause a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylactic shock. When this happens, you will experience:

• Skin rash
• Itchy rash
• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Consciousness was almost lost

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Lithium Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using Lithium?

Before using lithium, there are several things that need to be known and done, including:

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to lithium, any other drugs, or any of the ingredients in this medicine. Ask the pharmacist for a list of the ingredients in it.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist all medicines you are taking or will regularly take. Whether it's prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, to herbal medicines.
• Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart disease, congenital heart failure, kidney disease or liver disease
• Tell your doctor if you are or plan to become pregnant in the near future and or are breastfeeding.

This medicine may make you drowsy. Therefore, do not drive the car or operate a motorized vehicle until the effects of the drug wear off.

In addition, this drug can also cause lightheadedness when you wake up too quickly from lying or sitting. This usually happens when you first drink it.

To help avoid this problem, get out of bed slowly. Place your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up.

Your doctor may ask you to undergo periodic medical examinations, such as blood tests. Its function is to monitor the condition of your kidneys and liver because this drug can affect both organs if used for a long time.

Is Lithium safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication.

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), or the equivalent of the Indonesian Food and Drug Administration (Badan POM) in Indonesia, this drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category D. The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = Maybe risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

Because this medicine is in category D, avoid taking it while pregnant. If you have recently become pregnant, stop taking it immediately.

Meanwhile, for breastfeeding mothers, there is no clear evidence whether this drug harms the baby or not. To avoid various negative possibilities, do not take this medicine carelessly or without the doctor's permission.

Lithium Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with Lithium?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document.

Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

Some drugs that have the potential to cause interactions with lithium drugs include:

• Acetazolamide (Diamox)
• Aminophylline (Truphylline) or theophylline (Elixophyllin, Respbid, Theo-Bid, Theo-Dur, Uniphyl)
• Sodium bicarbonate (Alka-Seltzer, Bicitra, Polycitra, or baking soda home remedy antacid)
• Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol)
• Fluoxetine (Prozac)
• Metronidazole (Flagyl)
• The thyroid drug potassium iodide (Pima)
• ACE inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), or trandolapril (Mavik)
• Calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem (Tiazac, Cartia, Cardizem) or verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan)
• Medicines to treat mental disorders, such as haloperidol (Haldol), aripiprazole (Abilify), chlorpromazine (Thorazine), clozapine (Clozaril, Fazaclo), olanzapine (Zyprexa), quetiapine (Seroquel), pimozide (Orap), risperidone (Orap), or ziprasidone (Geodon); or
• Celecoxib (Celebrex)
• NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Voltaren), diflunisal (Dolobid), etodolac (Lodine), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol) , mefenamic acid (Ponstel), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), piroxicam (Feldene), and others
• Diuretics (water pills) such as amiloride (Midamor, Moduretic), bumetanide (Bumex), chlorthalidone (Hygroton, Thalitone), ethacrynic acid (Edecrin), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Hyzaapam, Vasoretic) (Lozol), metolazone (Mykrox, Zaroxolyn), spironolactone (Aldactazide, Aldactone), triamterene (Dyrenium, Maxzide, Dyazide), torsemide (Demadex), and others

Can food or alcohol interact with lithium?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur.

Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions may interact with Lithium?

The presence of other health problems in your body may affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems, in particular:

• Brugada syndrome (heart disease), or a family history of the syndrome or
• Difficulty urinating
• Prolonged diarrhea
• Severe infection with fever
• Kidney illness
• Prolonged sweating
• Prolonged vomiting
• Severe dehydration
• Heart or blood vessel disease
• Hyponatremia (low sodium levels in the blood)
• Severe kidney disease
• Severe muscle weakness
• Weak immune system due to HIV / AIDS or other diseases.
• Encephalopathy Syndrome (brain disease)
• Goiter or other thyroid disorders
• Nervous system disorders
• Kidney illness
• Heart disease
• Stroke

Lithium overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

When someone has an overdose, various symptoms that may arise are:

• Too low blood pressure (hypotension) which makes the head dizzy
• Fainting
• Fast and irregular heartbeat
• Slower than normal heart rate

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Do not double your dose in one drink.