Lithium Carbonate
Drug name
Lithium Carbonate
Drug Uses
Lithium Carbonate is generally used for treating the episodes of extreme depressive illness and this is considered as a condition when the mood the person swings from a depressive manner to an extreme level of excitement. In these cases a suffering person may have the following symptoms:
- Aggressiveness
- Elation
- Fast and urgent talking manner
- Frenetic physical behavior
- Grandiose or an unrealistic ideas
- Hostility
- Insomnia
- Poor judging ability
There are various doctors who will prescribe you with Lithium Carbonate for eating disorder, tension or some sexual addictions.
How Taken
The lithium carbonate should be taken accordingly and as per the following directions:
- It will help to avoid any stomach problems so Lithium should be taken after the meals with some food or with milk
- 10-12 glasses of water is important to drink when you are taking Lithium carbonate. For minimizing any harmful effects, you can eat balanced diet which mat include some liquids and some salts as well. If there is extreme sweating or you are suffering from diarrhea then it is necessary to get some extra salt or liquid.
Ask for health care provider and ask him/her the questions which you need to know about lithium carbonate.
Drug Class and Mechanism
Lithium Carbonate is known as an antimaniac agent and how it works is still unknown but as far as experts are concerned, it may be about some of the changes in the chemical balance in the brain which make the lithium work on such depressive disorders.
Missed Dose
In case you have missed the dose for the Lithium Carbonate then take it as soon as you remember it. After that, be in your regular schedule as much as possible. When it is time for the next dose do not skip it but you should also remember that you should not take two doses at a time.
Storage
When you are storing lithium in a room temperature, it should be around 68-77 degrees and it is also better to store it away from any dust, light and heat but don’t store it in a bathroom. Lithium should be kept in a tight light resistant container and should be kept away from pest and children.
Warnings Precautions
In case if you have the following conditions do not use Lithium carbonate.
- For any allergy to the ingredient contained in Lithium carbonate
- You have a moderate heart or kidney problems or any blood vessel disorder
- The sodium level in the blood is low
- The body is suffering from excessive dehydration
- If you are taking angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) or diuretic like hydrochlorothiazide/furosemide the do not take this medicine
It is necessary to contact doctor or any health care provider if any of the above mentioned conditioned happens to you.
Important:
- Lithium Carbonate may inhibits dizziness or drowsiness and may effect severely if you are taking other medicine or alcohol, it is necessary to use Lithium Carbonate with a caution, thus it is better not to try with any of the task which you are not aware of or doesn’t know the reaction
- Without consulting the doctor, you should not take more than the recommended dose
- Sometimes Lithium Carbonate may take 1 to 3 weeks to work and so don’t stop in the middle without consulting it to the doctor.
- Inform your doctor or your dentists before consuming Lithium Carbonate if you are receiving any ongoing treatment for surgery, dental or for any other condition
- There can be some disease like diarrhea, vomiting, excessive sweating or fever which can affect the levels of the lithium carbonate and in case you experience this kind of condition, you should consult a doctor immediately. Speak with your doctor about how you can replace the salt which has gone out through sweating
- The amount of the salt in your diet should not be changed unless the doctor asks you to do so. So speak with your doctor before restricting yourself with salt intake or let the doctor give you a low salt diet.
- When you are using lithium carbonate it is necessary that you should have a through check up of the lithium levels in kidney and kidney function
- It is necessary to use lithium levels with a caution especially to elders because it may be extremely sensitive to them
- It should not be used for children less than 12 years of age because the safety level of the drug for children has still not being confirmed.
- Inn case a woman is pregnant; she should not use Lithium carbonate because it may hamper the fetus. Before taking this drug that the woman should consult the doctor about the effect of Lithium carbonate on her body and on the fetus. In some cases, Lithium carbonate is found in breast milk so before brats feeding it is necessary to consult the doctor once. It is important that a woman must discuss with the doctor about the benefits of using the lithium carbonate and she should remember that when she is taking lithium carbonate, she should not breast feed.
Possible Side Effects
Consult the doctor if any of the following side effects persists and become troublesome.
* Mild hand tremor; temporary mild thirst, mild nausea and discomfort at the initial stages of treatment.
It is necessary to seek for some medical attention, if any of the side effects occur.
Allergic reactions with rashes, hives, itching, chest compactness, mouth swellings, confusion, diarrhea, fainting, inability to control urine bladder, giddiness, increased thirst, involuntary twitching, muscle weakness, muscle movements, failure of consciousness, loss of coordination, seizures, slurred speech, vomiting.
More Information
Lithium carbonate is only used for patients for whom it has been prescribed by the doctor and it should not shred among people. In case the symptom doesn’t improve with this medicine you should consult a doctor immediately.