Precautions and warnings

People can become more sensitive to lithium if they have prolonged sweating or diarrhea. If this happens, extra fluids and salt should be given, but only under close medical supervision. Lithium treatment should be lowered or stopped until the person recovers.

Drug Interactions

**Some medicines can lower lithium levels in the blood** (such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, chlorpromazine, sodium-containing drugs, theophylline, and urea).
**Taking lithium with iodine salts can increase the risk of an underactive thyroid.**
**Lithium can increase the effects of muscle relaxants** (used during surgery) and **reduce the effect of medicines that raise blood pressure** (sympathomimetics).

**Serious or life-threatening risks:**
- **Certain drugs can increase lithium to dangerous levels:** ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, loop diuretics, metronidazole, and phenytoin.
- **Some medicines can increase the risk of brain or nerve side effects:** carbamazepine, calcium channel blockers, haloperidol, methyldopa, phenothiazines, SSRIs, and TCAs.
- **NSAIDs (except sulindac and aspirin), COX-2 inhibitors, tetracyclines, and thiazide diuretics** can raise lithium levels.
- **Haloperidol with lithium can increase the risk of brain problems (encephalopathy).**
- **Sibutramine with lithium can increase the risk of serotonin syndrome.**
- **Taking MAOIs with lithium can cause deadly high fever (malignant hyperpyrexia).**

Contraindications

People with kidney problems, heart problems, Addison’s disease, or untreated low thyroid (hypothyroidism) should not take lithium.

Mode of actions

- Blocks extra sensitivity of D2 receptors after nerve signals are received.
- Changes the movement of charged particles (cations) in nerve and muscle cells and affects how the brain reabsorbs the chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine.
- Stops certain signaling pathways inside cells, such as those involving phosphatidylinositol.

Dosage & Administration

Oral: Adult:
Extended release: 900-1800 mg/day PO divided 12 hourly

Lower initial dosage may be used to minimize adverse drug reactions

Serum lithium should be monitored 12 hours after dose, twice weekly until serum concentration and clinical condition stabilize, and every other month thereafter

Desirable range for serum lithium: 0.6-1.2 mEq/L; although higher serum concentrations may be needed, not to exceed 1.5 mEq/L

Pregnancy & Lactation

This medicine is not allowed during pregnancy. Do not use it if you are pregnant. It can be absorbed through the skin and lungs caused can damage your unborn child’s organs and cause congenital disabilities. Strict effective birth control during treatment and for six months after stopping this medicine. If you do become pregnant, stop taking this medicine and discuss your doctor right away.

There is no specific information on whether this medicine passes into breast milk or not. Considering the possible risks for the children, breastfeeding while using this medicine is not recommended and at least two weeks after the last dose. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Pack Size & Price