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BMC Psychiatry. Download references. The structure of the data set and the coding specification are available from the authors. Any other reasonable request will be raised with the regional ethics committee and health care provider. You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar. All authors interpreted the data, provided constructive feedback during manuscript development, and read and approved the final manuscript.
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Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article. A person who is taking lithium will need to undergo regular tests to monitor their thyroid function. Not only can lithium cause long term thyroid problems, but it can also affect the parathyroid glands. These glands are chiefly responsible for regulating calcium levels in the body. Hypercalcemia can lead to further complications , such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular issues.
According to an article in the journal Case Reports in Medicine , lithium-induced hyperparathyroidism is four times more likely to occur in women than in men. A woman who is taking lithium and planning on becoming pregnant should talk to her doctor.
This particular birth abnormality affects the tricuspid valve in the heart. Doctors will not usually suggest stopping lithium treatment during pregnancy.
Women can talk to their doctor or midwife for advice on alternative feeding options. For lithium to work most effectively, a person should take it consistently every day.
Missing a dose can affect how well the medicine works. A person should seek emergency medical attention if they experience any of the following symptoms of high lithium levels:. A person must take lithium at regular intervals for the medication to be effective. Elevated lithium levels can result in a range of unpleasant symptoms. They can also result in severe health complications and even death.
If a person experiences worrying symptoms while taking lithium, they should talk to their doctor. A doctor can often recommend ways to reduce the side effects of lithium treatment without stopping it.
The symptoms of mania in bipolar disorder include high energy levels, euphoria, and elevated self-esteem. Most people recover from lithium toxicity without problems. A small number of people with severe poisoning may have long-term complications, which are most likely in cases of acute-on-chronic lithium intoxication. Of these, the most common problems are with the nervous system, but the thyroid, kidneys, parathyroid, and heart may be affected.
Be sure to talk to your doctor if you're starting any new over-the-counter or prescription medications to make sure they don't interact with lithium. Also, make sure you keep all your appointments so your doctor can regularly monitor your lithium level.
Dealing with racing thoughts? Always feeling tired? Our guide offers strategies to help you or your loved one live better with bipolar disorder. Sign up for our newsletter and get it free. Toxicity Lithium. Updated April 14, Practical Neurology. March — Lithium Toxicity. National Library of Medicine.
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I Accept Show Purposes. However, when antidepressants have not worked, your doctor might prescribe lithium as well. This may be more effective and help your symptoms get better. Lithium can make you drowsy so it's best to stop drinking alcohol during the first few days of taking lithium, or if your dose is increased. If you feel OK after this, you can drink alcohol but it's best not to drink too much it's likely to make you dehydrated.
This can increase the chance of high levels of lithium in your blood. It's important to remember this, especially in hot weather when you will sweat more and your body loses water. Lithium does not affect contraception including the combined pill or emergency contraception.
However, if you have severe diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, your combined pill may not protect you from pregnancy. Look on the pill packet to find out what to do. Read more about what to do if you're on the pill and you have diarrhoea. There is no clear evidence that lithium affects female fertility. However, there is small chance that it can reduce sperm count in men. However, it's best to avoid a low-sodium low-salt diet as this can increase the levels of lithium in your blood and increase the chance of getting side effects.
The amount of fluids you drink is very important as it can affect the levels of lithium in your blood. Getting dehydrated will affect the levels so it's good to drink plenty of fluids. Some people may put on weight when taking lithium. Try to eat well without increasing your portion sizes. Regular exercise can also help to keep your weight stable. When you first start taking lithium — or if the dose has recently been changed — it may make you feel tired, dizzy, sleepy and make your hands shake.
You're recommended to stop doing these things for the first few days, until you know how lithium affects you and until you feel more alert. Taking ecstasy while you're on lithium can make you dehydrated, which can lead to lithium toxicity.
Page last reviewed: 18 August Next review due: 18 August About lithium Lithium is a type of medicine known as a mood stabiliser. It's used to treat mood disorders such as: mania feeling highly excited, overactive or distracted hypo-mania similar to mania, but less severe regular periods of depression , where treatment with other medicines has not worked bipolar disorder , where your mood changes between feeling very high mania and very low depression Lithium can also help reduce aggressive or self-harming behaviour.
Lithium is available on prescription. The most common side effects of lithium are feeling or being sick, diarrhoea, a dry mouth and a metallic taste in the mouth.
Your doctor will carry out regular blood tests to check how much lithium is in your blood. The results will be recorded in your lithium record book. Lithium carbonate is available as regular tablets and modified release brand names include Priadel, Camcolit and Liskonium. Lithium citrate comes as a liquid and common brands include Priadel and Li-Liquid. Lithium can be taken by adults and children over the age of 12 years.
Lithium may not be suitable for some people. Tell your doctor if: you have ever had an allergic reaction to lithium or other medicines in the past you have heart disease you have severe kidney problems have an underactive thyroid gland hypothyroidism that is not being treated you have low levels of sodium in your body — this can happen if you're dehydrated or if you're on a low-sodium low-salt diet you have Addison's disease , a rare disorder of the adrenal glands you have, or someone in your family has, a rare condition called Brugada syndrome — a condition that affects your heart you need to have surgery in hospital you are trying to get pregnant, are pregnant or breastfeeding Before prescribing lithium, your doctor will do some blood tests to check your kidney and thyroid are OK.
It's important to take lithium as recommended by your doctor. How to take it Swallow tablets whole with a drink of water or juice. Information about your lithium treatment When you start taking lithium, you will get a lithium treatment pack usually a purple folder or book with a record booklet. When you go to the doctor for blood tests, you or your doctor will write in the record booklet: your dose of lithium your lithium blood levels any other blood test results your weight The treatment pack also has a lithium alert card.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you've lost your treatment pack or did not get one. Will my dose go up or down? Important Do not stop taking lithium suddenly or change your dose without speaking to your doctor first. What if I'm ill while taking lithium? Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you: have an illness that causes severe diarrhoea, vomiting, a high temperature or sweating have a urinary tract infection UTI are not eating and drinking much What if I forget to take it?
If you usually take: tablets or slow-release tablets — if it's less than 6 hours since you were supposed to take your lithium, take it as soon as you remember. If it is more than 6 hours, just skip the missed dose and take your next one at the usual time liquid — if you forget to take a dose, just skip the missed dose and take your next one at the usual time Never take 2 doses at the same time. Never take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one. What if I take too much? It can cause symptoms such as: feeling or being sick problems with your eyesight blurred vision increased need to pee, lack of control over pee or poo feeling faint, lightheaded or sleepy confusion and blackouts shaking or muscle weakness, muscle twitches, jerks or spasms affecting the face, tongue, eyes or neck.
Common side effects These are usually mild and go away by themselves. You have 1 or more of these symptoms: loss of appetite, feeling or being sick vomiting problems with your eyesight blurred vision feeling very thirsty, needing to pee more than normal, and lack of control over pee or poo feeling lightheaded or drowsy confusion and blackouts shaking, muscle weakness, muscle twitches, jerks or spasms affecting the face, tongue, eyes or neck difficulty speaking These are signs of lithium toxicity.
How to avoid high lithium levels in your blood Make sure that you go for the blood tests arranged by your doctor. Serious allergic reaction: In rare cases, lithium may cause a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis.
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