Lithium : Before Using - Cibalith-S, Eskalith, Eskalith CR, Lithane, Lithobid, Lithonate, Lithotabs, Carbolith, Duralith, Lithizine

Lithium - Systemic

Brand Names

Cibalith-S, Eskalith, Eskalith CR, Lithane, Lithobid, Lithonate, Lithotabs, Carbolith, Duralith, Lithizine Lithium *** Before Using *** How to Use *** Fore Safe Use *** Side Effects *** Additional Information

Before Using

In deciding to using a medication, the chance of taking the drug must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you will make. For lithium, the following must be considered

Allergic reaction

Tell your family doctor if you have any unusual or allergy to lithium. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Diet Make certain your health care professional knows if you are on a low-sodium or low-salt diet. Too little salt in your diet could lead to serious side effects.

Pregnancy care

Lithium is not recommended for use during pregnancy, especially during the first 3 months. Studies have shown that lithium may rarely cause thyroid problems and heart or blood vessel defects in the baby. It has also been shown to cause muscle weakness and severe drowsiness in newborn babies of mothers taking lithium near time of delivery.

Breast-feeding problem

Lithium passes into the breast milk. It has been reported to cause unwanted effects such as muscle weakness, lowered body temperature, and heart problems in nursing babies. Before taking this drug, be sure you have discussed with your family doctor the chance and benefits of breast-feeding.

Use for Children

Lithium may cause weakened bones in child during treat.

Elderly care

Unusual thirst, an increase in amount of urine, diarrhea, drowsiness, loss of appetite, muscle weakness, trembling, slurred speech, nausea or vomiting, goiter, or symptoms of underactive thyroid are especially likely to occur in elderly diseaseds, who are often more sensitive than younger adults to the effects of lithium.

Drug interactions

Although certain medication must not be using together at all, in other cases 2 various medication may be using together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your family doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking lithium, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

Acetazolamide - Diamox
Antipsychotics - drug for mental illness Blood levels of both medication may change, increasing the risk of serious side effects

Diuretics - water pills
Inflammation or pain drug, except narcotics Higher blood levels of lithium may occur, increasing the risk of serious side effects

Medicine for asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, sinusitis, or cystic fibrosis that contains the following:
- Calcium iodide
- Iodinated glycerol
- Potassium iodide Unwanted effects on the thyroid gland may occur

Other Information for using

The presence of other medical problems may effect the use of lithium. Make sure you tell your family doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Brain disease
Schizophrenia You may be especially sensitive to lithium and mental effects - such as increased confusion may occur

Diabetes mellitus - sugar diabetes Lithium may increase the blood levels of insulin; the dose of insulin you need to take may change

Difficult urination
Infection - severe, occurring with fever, prolonged sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting
Kidney disease Higher blood levels of lithium may occur, increasing the risk of serious side effects

Epilepsy
Goiter or other thyroid disease,
Heart disease
Parkinson's disease
Psoriasis Lithium may make the condition worse

Leukemia - history of Lithium may cause the leukemia to occur again