Lithium
Lithium Information

About Lithium

Lithium usually given as carbonate or citrate, provides lithium ions which substitute for sodium in excitable tissues and reduce brain catecholamine levels. Lithium used in the prophylactic treatment of mania and depression it stabilizes the mood and reduces extremes in behavior. Caution in cardiac and renal disease. Needs careful control of plasma levels.

Indications

Lithium is primarily indicated in conditions like Bipolar disorders, Depression, Mania, Mood disorder prophylaxis, Psychosis, Schizo-affective psychosis prophylaxis, and can also be given in adjunctive therapy as an alternative drug of choice in Aggression, Chemotherapy induced neutropenia.

Contraindication

Lithium is contraindicated in conditions like Heart failure,Psoriasis,Salt depletion,Cardiovascular disease,Heart disease,Kidney infection,Electrolyte disturbance,Acneiform eruption,Hypothyroidism,Breast feeding.

Side Effects

The severe or irreversible adverse effects of Lithium, which give rise to further complications include Convulsions, Cardiac arrhythmias, Cardiac arrhythmias, Dehydration, Hypercalcemia, Sinus bradycardia, Hyperthyroidism, Leucocytosis, Dysarthria.Lithium produces potentially life-threatening effects which include Coma, Acute Renal Failure, Acute renal failure. which are responsible for the discontinuation of Lithium therapy.The signs and symptoms that are produced after the acute overdosage of Lithium include Bradycardia, Cardiac arrhythmias, Polyuria, Ataxia, Glycosuria, Tinnitus, Permanent disability, Abdominal discomfort.The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Lithium are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Vertigo, Drowsiness, Ataxia, Anorexia, Diarrhea, Confusion, Weight gain, Polyuria, Muscle weakness, Tremor, Nausea and vomiting, ECG changes, Psoriasis, Vison disturbance, Xerostomia, Goiter, Acneform eruptions, Polydipsia, Confusion, Ataxia.

Warnings

It is important that the kidney, thyroid gland and heart function are checked regularly while taking this medicine. It is important to maintain a normal diet while taking lithium so that the level of salts in blood remains stable and patient don't become dehydrated. Consult doctor if patient need to pass urine more often or experience excessive thirst while taking this medicine. This medicine is not recommended for use in children and adolescents. If the level of lithium in your blood gets too high it can cause some unpleasant side effects and can be potentially dangerous. This is often referred to as lithium toxicity, and patient should be aware of the warning signs of this. These include: loss of appetite, diarrhoea, vomiting, blurred vision, muscle weakness, lack of co-ordination, drowsiness, tremor, unsteadiness, muscle twitching, ringing in the ears, confusion, seizures and unconsciousness. If patient experience any of these symptoms he should consult doctor immediately so that lithium level can be checked.

High Risk Groups

Drug should not be given to Pregnant Mothers, Cardiac / Hypertensive Patients, patients suffering from Kidney dysfunction, and Neonates.If prescribing authority justifies the benefits of the drug against the possible damages he/she should reevaluate them and consult the reference material and previous studies.