Do you sometimes feel like you have trouble controlling your thoughts? Sometimes you can't keep your mind in one place? At such times, a doctor may prescribe a medication called 'Lithium' for you, especially if you have a condition like 'Bipolar Disorder'. So today, let's talk a little about this medication, just like talking to a friend.
What kind of medicine is Lithium?
Simply put,
lithium is a medication that helps balance your mood, behavior, and thoughts. Mood swings occur when certain chemicals in our brains change their function. Lithium works by regulating these chemicals and helping to keep your mind calm. Doctors often prescribe it for people with bipolar disorder. However, it can also be used for other conditions. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about it.
What are the things I need to tell the doctor before starting this medication?
This is very important. Before you start taking lithium, there are a few
things you should definitely tell your doctor. This medicine is not for everyone. If you have any of these conditions, tell your doctor:
- Is there any active infection currently present?
- Are you having trouble breathing ?
- Is there a heart condition called 'Brugada Syndrome' ? (This is a condition that affects the heartbeat)
- Are you dehydrated , either due to diarrhea or excessive sweating ?
- Are you following a diet low in salt ?
- Do you have heart disease ?
- Is the calcium level in the blood high ?
- Have you ever had an irregular heartbeat ?
- Do you have kidney disease ?
- Are your blood potassium or sodium levels low ?
- Parathyroid gland (Do you have parathyroid disease?
- Are you having problems urinating ?
- Do you have thyroid disease ?
- Have you ever had an unusual allergic reaction to lithium, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives?
- Are you pregnant? Or are you hoping to get pregnant?
- Are you a breastfeeding mother?
It is very important for your safety to tell the doctor about these things.
How to use Lithium correctly?
Okay, now let's see how exactly to take this medicine.
- This medicine should be taken orally with water .
- Try to take your medication at the same time every day , as directed on the prescription label. That way, the medicine will work properly.
- You can take this with or without food . However, if you feel a little upset stomach, it is better to take it with food.
- You should continue taking the medicine until the doctor tells you to stop. It's best not to stop it suddenly, as you feel like it.
Important: When the pharmacy gives you this medicine, it also gives you a special instruction leaflet ('MedGuide') . Don't forget to read this instruction leaflet carefully every time you get the medicine, and every time you get a refill. It contains a lot of important information for you.
Should this medicine be given to children? This medicine can sometimes be given to children as young as 7 years old, in special situations. However, special precautions must be followed. Therefore, if you are giving this medicine to your child, talk to your doctor about it carefully and find out the details.
What to do if you take too much medicine? (Overdosage)
If that happens, that is,
if you think you've taken more medicine than you thought, go to the nearest hospital emergency room immediately , or call a poison control center. This is not something to be trifled with.
This medicine is for you only! Do not give the medicine your doctor gave you to others, even if they have the same symptoms as you.
What do you do if you miss a dose?
If you forget to take your medicine,
take the dose as soon as you remember . However, if it is almost time for your next dose when you remember, skip the missed dose and
take the next dose at the scheduled time .
Never take double or extra doses . Doing so increases the risk of side effects.
What other things can interact with this medicine?
This is also something to be very careful about. Lithium is
a drug that can interact with other medications, herbs, and vitamins . This means that when taken together, the effects of Lithium may change or the side effects may increase.
Never take Lithium with the following medications:- Cisapride
- Dronedarone
- Pimozide
- Thioridazine
Lithium can also interact with the following medications, so be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any of these:- Caffeine (found in coffee, tea, chocolate, and some soft drinks)
- Carbamazepine
- Some medications for depression, anxiety, or other mental illnesses
- Some medications taken for high blood pressure
- Some medications used for migraines (e.g., almotriptan, eletriptan, sumatriptan)
- Diuretics (medicines that remove water and salt from the body)
- Fentanyl
- Linezolid
- Medicines in the group of drugs called 'MAOIs' (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors) (e.g. Carbex, Eldepryl)
- Muscle relaxants given before surgery
- Methyldopa
- Metronidazole
- 'NSAIDs' (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) - medicines for pain and swelling (e.g. ibuprofen, naproxen)
- Other medications that affect the rhythm of the heart beat (e.g. dofetilide)
- Phenytoin
- Potassium iodide
- SGLT2 inhibitors - some medications used to treat diabetes (e.g. canagliflozin, dapagliflozin)
- Sodium bicarbonate
- Sodium chloride (common salt)
- St. John's Wort (this is a herb)
- Theophylline
- Tramadol
- Tryptophan
- Urea
This list may not be complete. Therefore,
tell your doctor about all the medications you take, including herbal remedies, non-prescription drugs, and dietary supplements. Also, tell your doctor if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs . Some things can interact with your medications.
What other things should I be aware of when taking this medicine?
You also need to be a little careful when taking lithium.
- See your doctor regularly: Your doctor will ask you to come in regularly to check on your condition and to see if the medicine is working properly. Be sure to go at those times. It may take several weeks for the medicine to take effect.
- Be careful about salt (sodium): This is very important. The amount of salt in your body directly affects the effectiveness of lithium. Also, this medicine can increase the amount of salt excreted from the body. Therefore, eat food with salt as usual . Do not take salt substitutes. If you are changing your diet significantly, or if you are taking medications that contain a lot of sodium, such as sodium bicarbonate, ask your doctor for advice.
- Drink plenty of water: Try to drink at least 8-12 glasses of water a day while taking this medicine. It is a good idea to reduce your intake of caffeinated drinks like coffee, tea, and cola. If you have diarrhea or are sweating a lot, you should drink even more water. This will help you avoid the toxic effects of this medicine.
- Be careful not to overheat: Be careful not to overheat when exercising, in a sauna, taking a hot bath, or on very hot days outside. If you have a high fever or persistent stomach pain, tell your doctor.
- Balance and alertness: This medicine may affect your coordination, reaction time, and judgment . Therefore, do not drive, work at heights, or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. To reduce dizziness, stand up slowly when getting up from a sitting position or from bed. Drinking alcohol with this medicine may increase these side effects.
What side effects might I experience from this medicine?
Like all medicines, lithium can cause some side effects. Some are serious, some are not so serious.
If you experience any of the following side effects, tell your doctor as soon as possible:- Allergic reactions: Skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Heart rhythm changes: Fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, lightheadedness, chest pain, difficulty breathing.
- Increased pressure around the brain: Severe headache, blurred vision, vision changes, nausea, vomiting.
- Increased thirst and amount of urine.
- Symptoms of Serotonin Syndrome:Anxiety, confusion, fast or irregular heartbeat, muscle stiffness, muscle twitching, excessive sweating, high fever, seizures, chills, vomiting, diarrhea. (This is a dangerous condition.)
- Lithium toxicity: This is also very dangerous. Symptoms include: diarrhea, vomiting, tremors, loss of balance or coordination, uncontrollable eye movement, ringing of the ears, muscle weakness, muscle twitching, slurred speech, and confusion.
The side effects below are usually not serious. However, if they persist or bother you, tell your doctor:- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Tremors or shaking
Not all side effects are listed here. If you notice anything unusual in addition to these, talk to your doctor about it.
Where should I keep my medicine?
- Keep it in a high place out of reach of children .
- Store at room temperature (between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius, which is between 59 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Be sure to throw away expired medications.
Finally, things to remember (Take-Home Message)
Okay, we've talked a lot about lithium, haven't we? If you have to use this medication, it's very important to keep these things in mind.
- Use the medicine exactly as your doctor tells you. Take it on time, in the prescribed dose. Don't stop or change the dose at your own discretion.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications, herbs, and vitamins you take.
- Drink plenty of water. At least 8-12 glasses of water a day.
- Be careful about salt (sodium). Add salt to your food as usual.
- If you experience any new side effects or if a previous side effect gets worse, tell your doctor right away. Especially if you develop symptoms of lithium toxicity or serotonin syndrome.
- See your doctor on time and get blood tests done. This is very important to check if your lithium levels are normal.
- This medicine is just to help you feel better . However, it is also very important to follow good mental health habits (good sleep, a balanced diet, exercise, ways to reduce stress).
Remember, you are not alone. There are doctors, family, and friends who can help you. Don't be afraid to talk to them.
I hope this information is helpful to you. I wish you a speedy recovery!
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