Makes use of, Facet Results, Dosage — Talkspace

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

By understanding how Lithium therapy works, we are able to higher perceive its potential advantages and dangers in managing our psychological well being circumstances. Hold 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 of resolve if Lithium is best for you.

What’s Lithium?

Lithium has been used as a dependable and profitable therapy for bipolar dysfunction for greater than 50 years. It will probably 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.

Whereas Lithium will be an efficient temper stabilizer for bipolar dysfunction, it have to be used cautiously.

How does Lithium work?

Lithium has been established as a top-tier temper stabilizer, supplying speedy help 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 perform. 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. As soon as the drug begins working, although, Lithium can relieve or remove signs of mania, permitting you to settle down 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 scale back signs of suicidality. 

Lithium Makes use of

What’s Lithium used for? Primarily, Lithium is prescribed to deal with mania in individuals residing with bipolar dysfunction, additionally known as manic melancholy, 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. Nonetheless, it have to be persistently stored on the similar Lithium stage in your physique to be as efficient as attainable. 

Lithium for mania

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

Off-label makes use of

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

• Main depressive dysfunction as a complement to remedy
• Bipolar dysfunction and not using a historical past of mania
• Vascular complications
• Neutropenia

Professionals & Cons of Lithium

“Lithium may also help you’re feeling higher and has been confirmed to stabilize temper and scale back unfavorable signs. Conversely, it could additionally trigger unfavorable results reminiscent of weight achieve, pores and skin dryness, drowsiness, and fatigue.”

– Talkspace therapist Cynthia Catchings, LCSW-S

Facet Results of Lithium

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

Unwanted side effects of Lithium might embrace:

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

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

• Feeling light-headed
• Fever
• Shortness of breath
• Weak point or dizziness
• Elevated thirst
• Elevated urination
• Stability issues
• Reminiscence issues
• Lack of bladder or bowel management
• Seizure

Different severe negative effects can embrace:

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

Lithium Dosage

Lithium medicine ought to be taken as prescribed, and dosing directions have to be adopted fastidiously. Lithium is on the market in capsules or tablets for oral consumption. It is available in extended-release types and can also be accessible as an oral syrup or compounding powder. 

The suitable dosage of lithium can fluctuate broadly relying on the person and the specifics of their situation. It’s usually prescribed inside a sure vary, which will be wherever from a number of hundred milligrams to over a thousand milligrams per day, however the precise quantity is extremely individualized. You need to all the time seek the advice of with a physician to get a prescribed dosage.

Methods to take Lithium

At all times take a Lithium drug precisely as prescribed. Don’t change your dosage or cease taking Lithium with out speaking to your docs. Should you’re taking tablets, swallow them complete. You shouldn’t chew, crush, or break capsules. Should you’re taking liquid Lithium, measure the dose fastidiously utilizing the dosing cup or machine you got. 

Further Issues

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

“Seek the advice of along with your physician in regards to the attainable constructive and unfavorable results. Earlier than your appointment, making an inventory of questions or considerations may also help you be higher ready and make knowledgeable choices.”

– 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 medicine. Inform your physician about every part you’re at present taking, and pay attention to the next drugs which might be recognized to doubtlessly work together with Lithium:

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

Warnings

Should you’re pregnant or occupied with getting pregnant, you need to let your physician know earlier than you begin or proceed taking Lithium. Should you’re taking Lithium, you need to 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 advisable Lithium dose could cause extreme reactions, together with Lithium toxicity, which may even result in loss of life if not handled. When you have any signs of Lithium toxicity, contact your physician or go to the ER instantly. 

Signs embrace:

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

Lithium Alternate options

Regardless of its potential advantages, Lithium drugs carries sure dangers and negative effects that have to be thought-about. Whereas it’s recognized to work properly, Lithium remedy isn’t proper for everybody. Relying in your situation, signs, and the way you react to drugs, your physician might consider a special drug could be higher. 

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

• Latuda
• Vraylar
• Seroquel 
• Symbyax

One other non-drug various that’s generally used consists of speak remedy. Sorts of remedy which might be recognized to be efficient in treating bipolar dysfunction embrace:

On-line Lithium Prescription Via Talkspace Psychiatry

Earlier than taking Lithium, perceive the dosage directions and potential interactions with different drugs or substances. Lithium medicine may also help enhance signs when taken as directed. 

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