Uses, Side Effects, Dosage — Talkspace

Lithium is a generally prescribed temper stabilizer used primarily to deal with bipolar dysfunction, which impacts an estimated 2.3 million Americans. It regulates sodium transport in nerve and muscle cells, which impacts mania. While Lithium is efficient in lots of circumstances, it does include the danger of potential unwanted effects — some extreme — starting from reminiscence issues to kidney harm. However, when taken as prescribed and monitored by your physician, Lithium is usually a highly effective remedy for psychological situations. 

By understanding how Lithium remedy works, we are able to higher perceive its potential advantages and dangers in managing our psychological well being situations. Keep studying to study what Lithium is used for, the way it works, makes you’re feeling, and what you want to concentrate on. With this drug info, you’ll be capable to determine if Lithium is best for you.

What is Lithium?

Lithium has been used as a dependable and profitable remedy for bipolar dysfunction for greater than 50 years. It can assist regulate temper swings and manic episode occurrences related to bipolar dysfunction. Manic signs embrace aggression, excessive hyperactivity, poor judgment, feeling such as you don’t want sleep, and anger.

While Lithium might be an efficient temper stabilizer for bipolar dysfunction, it should be used cautiously.

How does Lithium work?

Lithium has been established as a top-tier temper stabilizer, supplying speedy assist throughout manic occurrences, lowering suicide makes an attempt amongst these affected by bipolar dysfunction, and serving to to take care of long-term indicators.

Lithium alters sodium transportation throughout mobile membranes, modifying intracellular pathways that regulate neurotransmitter launch and receptor operate. By modulating sodium transport throughout cell membranes, it’s broadly believed that Lithium reduces irritation within the mind, thus making it efficient for treating bipolar dysfunction.

How does Lithium make you’re feeling?

When first taking Lithium, some individuals report feeling nauseous and shaky. It’s additionally not unusual to expertise dry mouth, diarrhea, or a metallic style in your mouth. Once the drug begins working, although, Lithium can relieve or get rid of signs of mania, permitting you to relax and regain a way of management. 

Efficacy

In analysis, Lithium remedy has been discovered to scale back the frequency and severity of bipolar manic episodes. Some research present that the drug can cut back signs of suicidality. 

Lithium Uses

What is Lithium used for? Primarily, Lithium is prescribed to deal with mania in individuals dwelling with bipolar dysfunction, additionally known as manic despair, and to scale back the depth when manic episodes do happen. 

Lithium for bipolar dysfunction

When used to deal with bipolar dysfunction signs, Lithium can start working inside a number of weeks. However, it should be persistently saved on the similar Lithium degree in your physique to be as efficient as potential. 

Lithium for mania

Lithium can be prescribed to deal with mania. It’s efficient in lowering the depth of manic episode occurrences. 

Off-label makes use of

Sometimes medicine are used off-label, which implies they weren’t initially meant to deal with a situation however have been discovered efficient. Lithium is usually used to deal with the next psychological well being situations off-label:

• Major depressive dysfunction as a complement to remedy
• Bipolar dysfunction with out a historical past of mania
• Vascular complications
• Neutropenia

Pros & Cons of Lithium

“Lithium can help you feel better and has been proven to stabilize mood and reduce negative symptoms. Conversely, it may also cause negative effects such as weight gain, skin dryness, drowsiness, and fatigue.”

– Talkspace therapist Cynthia Catchings, LCSW-S

Side Effects of Lithium

Taking Lithium for psychological well being points can have severe unwanted effects. Though reminiscence issues and confusion are two extra frequent Lithium unwanted effects, they’re removed from the one ones. Not everybody will expertise unwanted effects or will expertise totally different depth of unwanted effects.

Side results of Lithium could embrace:

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Dry pores and skin
• Dry mouth
• Increased thirst
• Metallic style within the mouth
• Mild hand tremors
• Drowsiness
• Gradual weight achieve from Lithium

In uncommon circumstances, Lithium toxicity can happen. Symptoms may embrace:

• Feeling light-headed
• Fever
• Shortness of breath
• Weakness or dizziness
• Increased thirst
• Increased urination
• Balance issues
• Memory issues
• Loss of bladder or bowel management
• Seizure

Other severe unwanted effects can embrace:

• Serotonin syndrome
• Kidney harm
• Hyponatremia
• Pressure within the mind
• Swelling within the eye
• Brugada syndrome

Lithium Dosage

Lithium treatment must be taken as prescribed, and dosing directions should be adopted fastidiously. Lithium is offered in capsules or tablets for oral consumption. It is available in extended-release kinds and can also be out there as an oral syrup or compounding powder. 

The applicable dosage of lithium can range broadly relying on the person and the specifics of their situation. It is often prescribed inside a sure vary, which might be wherever from a number of hundred milligrams to over a thousand milligrams per day, however the actual quantity is very individualized. You ought to at all times seek the advice of with a health care provider to get a prescribed dosage.

How to take Lithium

Always take a Lithium drug precisely as prescribed. Do not change your dosage or cease taking Lithium with out speaking to your medical doctors. If you’re taking tablets, swallow them complete. You mustn’t chew, crush, or break tablets. If you’re taking liquid Lithium, measure the dose fastidiously utilizing the dosing cup or gadget you got. 

Additional Considerations

Lithium remedy may cause impaired reactions, so you shouldn’t drive or function heavy equipment till you perceive the way it may have an effect on you. Make positive you keep hydrated and work out with warning. Ask your physician about your common weight-reduction plan and the way a lot sodium you get. Note that any drastic change in sodium consumption can alter how Lithium works for you. 

“Consult with your doctor about the possible positive and negative effects. Before your appointment, making a list of questions or concerns can help you be better prepared and make informed decisions.”

– Talkspace therapist Cynthia Catchings, LCSW-S

Drug Interactions

There are a number of medicine — each prescription and over-the-counter dietary supplements — which may work together with Lithium treatment. Tell your physician about every little thing you’re at the moment taking, and pay attention to the next drugs which might be recognized to doubtlessly work together with Lithium:

• Fentanyl
• Buspirone
• St. John’s wort
• Certain migraine drugs like triptans
• Tramadol
• Some antidepressants
• Some antipsychotics
• MAOIs

Warnings

If you’re pregnant or excited about getting pregnant, you need to let your physician know earlier than you begin or proceed taking Lithium. If you’re taking Lithium, you must use contraception to keep away from changing into pregnant. 

Be very cautious about taking an excessive amount of Lithium. Even taking simply barely greater than the beneficial Lithium dose may cause extreme reactions, together with Lithium toxicity, which might even result in loss of life if not handled. If you have got any signs of Lithium toxicity, contact your physician or go to the ER instantly. 

Symptoms embrace:

• Extreme drowsiness
• Muscle weak point
• Feeling light-headed
• Blurred imaginative and prescient
• Sudden temper adjustments
• Irregular heartbeat
• Ringing within the ears
• Slurred speech or confusion
• Seizures

Lithium Alternatives

Despite its potential advantages, Lithium medication carries sure dangers and unwanted effects that should be thought-about. While it’s recognized to work effectively, Lithium remedy isn’t proper for everybody. Depending in your situation, signs, and the way you react to drugs, your physician could imagine a unique drug could be higher. 

Some drug alternate options to Lithium treatment for bipolar dysfunction can embrace:

• Latuda
• Vraylar
• Seroquel 
• Symbyax

Another non-drug different that’s generally used contains discuss remedy. Types of remedy which might be recognized to be efficient in treating bipolar dysfunction embrace:

Online Lithium Prescription Through Talkspace Psychiatry

Before taking Lithium, perceive the dosage directions and potential interactions with different drugs or substances. Lithium treatment can assist enhance signs when taken as directed. 

Take step one towards bettering your psychological well being by signing up with Talkspace for clinically confirmed psychological well being and psychiatry providers. Our skilled, skilled psychiatrists can assist you get a prescription for Lithium on-line in the event that they decide it’s best for you. Talkspace can assist you discover stability and develop more healthy coping methods with Lithium-based therapies that handle your signs so you will get again to dwelling life.