Warnings


What may interact with Lithium?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

-cisapride
-dronedarone
-pimozide
-thioridazine

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

-buspirone
-caffeine
-calcium iodide
-carbamazepine
-certain medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
-certain medicines for high blood pressure
-certain medicines for migraine headache like almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan
-diuretics
-fentanyl
-linezolid
-MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
-medicines that relax muscles for surgery
-metronidazole
-NSAIDs, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen
-other medicines that prolong the QT interval (cause an abnormal heart rhythm) like dofetilide, ziprasidone
-phenytoin
-potassium iodide
-sodium bicarbonate
-sodium chloride
-St. John''s Wort
-theophylline
-tramadol
-tryptophan
-urea

What should I tell my health care provider before I take Lithium?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

-active infection
-breathing problems
-Brugada Syndrome
-dehydration (diarrhea or sweating)
-diet low in salt
-heart disease
-high levels of calcium in the blood
-history of irregular heartbeat
-kidney disease
-low level of potassium or sodium in the blood
-parathyroid disease
-problems urinating
-thyroid disease
-an unusual or allergic reaction to lithium, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using Lithium?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. It can take several weeks of treatment before you start to get better.

The amount of salt (sodium) in your body influences the effects of this medicine, and this medicine can increase salt loss from the body. Eat a normal diet that includes salt. Do not change to salt substitutes. Avoid changes involving diet, or medications that include large amounts of sodium like sodium bicarbonate. Ask your doctor or health care professional for advice if you are not sure.

Drink plenty of fluids while you are taking this medicine. Avoid drinks that contain caffeine, such as coffee, tea and colas. You will need extra fluids if you have diarrhea or sweat a lot. This will help prevent toxic effects from this medicine. Be careful not to get overheated during exercise, saunas, hot baths, and hot weather. Consult your doctor or health care professional if you have a high fever or persistent diarrhea.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from moisture. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.