If your doctor has prescribed lithium for you or someone you love, you probably have many questions. Bipolar disorder can feel overwhelming, but the right medicine can bring stability back into your daily routine. Lithium is a powerful and very effective mood stabilizer, but it requires careful use and regular checkups to keep you safe.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know in simple, clear language. We will explore how lithium works, what you must tell your doctor before starting, how to take your pills correctly, and what warning signs to watch out for.
Key Takeaways
- Lithium is a key mood stabilizer that helps control extreme emotional highs and lows in bipolar disorder.
- Never crush, chew, or split extended-release tablets. Always swallow them whole with a full glass of water.
- Keep your salt and water intake steady every day to maintain safe levels of lithium in your blood.
- Regular blood tests are mandatory to make sure your lithium level stays in the safe therapeutic range.
- Know the signs of lithium toxicity and seek emergency medical care right away if they appear.
Know your body mass index (BMI) and weight classification
What is Lithium?
Simply put, lithium is a medicine that acts as a mood stabilizer. If you live with bipolar disorder, your moods, energy levels, and thoughts can change very quickly. You might experience periods of extreme high energy and happiness, known as mania, followed by deep sadness and low energy, known as depression.
Chemical messengers in your brain control these shifts in mood. When these chemicals become unbalanced, mood swings happen. Lithium steps in to help balance these brain chemicals and keep your mood steady. It stops your mind from swinging rapidly between extreme highs and dangerous lows.
Before You Start Taking Lithium
Giving your doctor a complete medical history is extremely important before you start this medicine. Some health conditions do not mix well with lithium. If any of the following apply to you, tell your doctor right away.
| Information Category | What You Must Tell Your Doctor |
|---|---|
| Heart and Circulation | History of heart disease, irregular heartbeats, or conditions like Brugada Syndrome. |
| Kidneys and Body Fluids | Kidney disease, dehydration from diarrhea or heavy sweating, low-salt diets, or low sodium and potassium levels. |
| Other Medical Conditions | Thyroid or parathyroid gland disorders, breathing problems, urinary issues, active infections, or high blood calcium. |
| Personal Situations & Allergies | Pregnancy, plans to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or any allergies to lithium, specific foods, or dyes. |
How to Take This Medicine Correctly
Getting your dose right is critical for your health. You must take your medicine exactly as your doctor prescribes every single day.
- Swallow your tablet whole with a full glass of water.
- Never crush, chew, or split the tablet. Extended-release means the pill releases the medicine slowly into your body over time, so you must swallow it whole.
- Take your dose after a meal or with a small snack to prevent an upset stomach.
- Try to take your medicine at the exact same time every day.
- Never take extra pills if you feel your symptoms returning. Taking too much can cause serious side effects.
- Do not stop taking lithium without talking to your doctor first.
What to Do If You Miss a Dose
If you forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose completely. Just take your next dose at the normal time.
Never take a double dose to make up for a pill you missed. Taking two doses at once can push too much lithium into your bloodstream.
What to Do If You Take Too Much
If you think you have taken too many lithium pills, go to the nearest emergency department right away or call emergency services (911 in the US/Canada, 999 in the UK). Treat a lithium overdose as a life-threatening medical emergency.
Important Warning: This medicine was prescribed specifically for you. Even if someone else has the exact same symptoms, never share your lithium pills with anyone else.
Other Medicines That Interact with Lithium
Tell your doctor about every single product you take. This includes prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, herbal remedies, vitamins, and daily supplements. Some substances can react badly with lithium and alter how it works in your body.
Specifically, you must never take the following medicines with lithium:
- Cisapride .
- Dronedarone .
- Pimozide .
- Thioridazine .
In addition, lithium can interact negatively with many other common items:
- Caffeine-rich drinks such as coffee, strong tea, and energy colas.
- Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen.
- Water pills or diuretics.
- Certain blood pressure medicines.
- Certain medicines used for depression.
- Muscle relaxers used during surgery.
- Seizure medicines like carbamazepine and phenytoin.
- Certain antibiotics like metronidazole.
- Some diabetes medicines, such as SGLT2 inhibitors.
- Herbal products like St. John's Wort.
This list is not complete. Always share your complete list of medicines with your doctor and pharmacist to stay safe.
Important Things to Watch While Taking Lithium
Salt and Water Balance
Managing your salt and water intake is the most important part of taking lithium safely. Your body uses sodium and water levels to control how much lithium stays in your blood.
- Eat a normal, steady amount of salt in your meals. Do not start a sudden low-salt diet unless your doctor tells you to.
- Drink plenty of water every day. If you have diarrhea, vomit, or sweat heavily from exercise or hot weather, drink extra water. When your body loses water and salt, your blood lithium levels can rise to dangerous heights.
- Limit caffeine intake. Drinks like coffee and tea make your body get rid of extra water, which can upset your body balance.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Lithium can cause dizziness, sleepiness, and slow down your reaction time. Until you know how this medicine affects your body, avoid driving cars, riding bikes, or operating heavy machinery.
Regular Medical Tests
Your doctor will ask you to visit the clinic regularly for blood tests to check your lithium levels. Never skip these blood tests. Keeping your blood lithium level within the safe therapeutic range is the only way to ensure the medicine works without harming you.
Possible Side Effects
Like all medicines, lithium can cause side effects. Some side effects are mild and go away. This others require urgent medical attention.
| Side Effect Type | Detailed Description |
|---|---|
| Serious Side Effects (Call Your Doctor Right away) | |
| Allergic Reactions | Skin rashes, severe itching, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. |
| Lithium Toxicity | Severe diarrhea, vomiting, muscle shakes, trouble walking, blurry vision, ringing in the ears, weak muscles, slurred speech, or confusion. |
| Serotonin Syndrome | Confusion, fast heartbeat, stiff muscles, heavy sweating, high fever, or seizures. |
| Other Serious Signs | Heart rhythm changes (dizziness, chest pain), extreme thirst with frequent urination, or severe headache with vision changes. |
| Common Side Effects (Usually Mild) | |
| Dizziness | May occur until your body gets used to the new medicine. |
| Fatigue | Feeling a little tired or low on energy during the first few weeks. |
| Nausea | Upset stomach, which you can reduce by taking your pill with food. |
| Mild Tremors | A slight shaking in your hands that is usually minor. |
💡 Take-Home Message
- Lithium is an extremely useful medicine for bipolar disorder, but you must use it with great care and follow your doctor's instructions closely.
- Always tell your doctor about every other medicine, vitamin, or herbal product you take.
- Never skip your scheduled blood tests. Checking your blood lithium level regularly keeps you safe.
- Keep your salt and water intake balanced every day. Drink enough water, especially when you sweat heavily or have diarrhea.
- Learn the warning signs of lithium toxicity like vomiting, severe hand shakes, and slurred speech. Get medical help right away if you notice them.
- Never change your dose or stop taking your medicine without talking to your doctor first.
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