Details

Lithium affects the flow of sodium through nerve and muscle cells in the body. Sodium affects excitation or mania. Lithium is used to treat the manic episodes of manic depression. Manic symptoms include hyperactivity, rushed speech, poor judgment, reduced need for sleep, aggression, and anger. It also helps to prevent or lessen the intensity of manic episodes. Before taking lithium, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have heart disease kidney disease underactive thyroid a severe or debilitating medical condition or if you are dehydrated or have low levels of sodium in your blood (hyponatremia). Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of lithium. Do not give lithium to a child younger than 12 years old.

Typical Uses

Lithium is used to treat manic-depressive disorder (bipolar disorder). It works to stabilize the mood and reduce extremes in behaviour by restoring the balance of certain natural substances (neurotransmitters) in the brain. Some of the benefits of continued use of this medication include decreasing how often manic episodes occur and decreasing the symptoms of manic episodes, such as exaggerated feelings of well-being, feelings that others wish to harm you, irritability, anxiousness, rapid/loud speech, and aggressive/hostile behaviours. This medication may also be used to prevent a certain type of headache (cluster headache).

Side Effects

Some of the side effects of lithium include extreme thirst, urinating more or less than usual weakness, fever, feeling restless or confused, eye pain and vision problems restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck pain, cold feeling, or discoloration in your fingers or toes feeling light-headed, fainting, slow heart rate hallucinations, seizure (blackout or convulsions) fever with muscle stiffness, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats or early signs of lithium toxicity, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, drowsiness, muscle weakness, tremor, lack of coordination, blurred vision, or ringing in your ears.

Drug Interactions

• Lithium+propoxyphene- Using propoxyphene together with lithium may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. You should take propoxyphene exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
• Lithium+anagrelide- Using anagrelide together with lithium can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a relatively rare side effect. You may be more susceptible if you have a heart condition called congenital long QT syndrome, other cardiac diseases, conduction abnormalities, or electrolyte disturbances.
• Lithium+bedaquiline- Using bedaquiline together with lithium can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a relatively rare side effect. You may be more susceptible if you have a heart condition called congenital long QT syndrome, other cardiac diseases, conduction abnormalities, or electrolyte disturbances.
• Lithium+ceritinib- Using ceritinib together with lithium can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a relatively rare side effect. You may be more susceptible if you have a heart condition called congenital long QT syndrome, other cardiac diseases, conduction abnormalities, or electrolyte disturbances.

Mechanism of action

Lithium is a mood stabilizing drug. It works by interfering with the production and uptake of chemicals called neurotransmitters in the nerves, thereby restoring its balance in brain.

Pregnancy Category : D