Lithium - Medication for manic depression, information, side-effects

Lithium - Medication for severe manic depression, information, side-effects

Lithium is used to treat severe depression or to treat bipolar affective disorder or manic depression in which mood is excessively high on some occasions and very low on others. Lithium is a simple chemical that occurs naturally. It is not really known how Lithium works. Lithium may alter the way that nerve cells respond to some of the chemicals that pass messages between them

The forms of Lithium used medically are Lithium carbonate and Lithium citrate. The following are all brands of Lithium - Camolit, Li-Liquid, Liskonum, Litarex and priadel.

What Lithium is used for ?

There are different ways in which Lithium is used. They are -

to treat mania (high mood with over activity, racing thoughts and agitation)

as a mood stabilizer

to boost the effect of antidepressants

How often is Lithium taken ?

Mostly, it is taken as a single dose at night. Follow your doctor advice for dosage.

Is Lithium Addictive and a safe medicine ?

Lithium is not addictive. But when it is stopped, it should be reduced gradually to minimize the chances of the illness coming back. Lithium is safe if used correctly. The problem with Lithium is that a certain level of the drug has to be produces in the blood for it to be effective, but if the level rises too much, unpleasant and potentially serious side effects can occur.

What are the side effects of Lithium ?

The commonest side effects that people may notice when they start Lithium are -

dry mouth

a metallic taste

a slight shakiness

a feeling of mild weakness

some bowel looseness

weight gain

passing urine more often

swollen ankles due to water retention

the thyroid gland may become under-active

Lithium has a preventive effect when taken in the medium to long term and is mostly taken for at least two to three years to drive full benefit from its use. There is some evidence for Lithium causing abnormalities in babies whose mothers have been taking it while they are pregnant. Clearly, it is best avoided in pregnancy.

Despite the potential difficulties with Lithium treatment, it remains the best medication for stabilizing mood in most depressive people.

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