|  | Mental Health | Bipolar Disorder

Side Effects of the Drug Lithium Carbonate

Because it is highly effective, lithium carbonate is the most common medication prescribed for treating bipolar disorder. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that lithium is beneficial for 70 percent to 80 percent of people with this severe mental illness. Lithium carbonate is particularly effective at preventing manic swings.

  1. Common Side Effects

    • Initial side effects, which usually taper off after a few weeks, may include loss of appetite, mild nausea, mild diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness and hand tremors. Nausea can often be prevented by taking lithium with food. Lithium sometimes makes psoriasis worse. It can increase white blood cell counts, and physicians sometimes prescribe it for cases of neutropenia, an abnormally low white blood cell count. Other side effects include weight gain, hypothyroidism and skin rashes.

    Dehydration

    • Common side effects also include increased urination and excessive thirst. People taking lithium carbonate should be sure to stay hydrated during physical activity that causes sweating. Drinking large amounts of coffee, tea, cola or other caffeinated beverages is not recommended because caffeine also causes increased urination. People taking lithium should not take diuretics.

    Toxicity

    • People taking lithium carbonate need regular blood tests. The drug can build up in the bloodstream, and the dosage should then be lowered. Side effects usually occur more often and are more severe with higher dosages of lithium. Symptoms associated with too high a dosage include more severe diarrhea, vomiting, unusual drowsiness, unsteadiness, difficulty walking and muscle weakness. All lithium side effects tend to be more severe in elderly people, who are generally more sensitive to the drug.

    Pregnancy, Babies and Children

    • Because the drug causes harm to unborn babies, pregnant women and women who may become pregnant should not take lithium. Women also should not breast-feed while taking lithium because it is excreted in breast milk. Lithium also can cause weak bones in children who take the medication.

    Drug Interactions

    • Lithium interferes with or interacts with numerous drugs. These include certain blood pressure medications, amphetamines, antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs, insulin, metronidazole, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, tetracycline antibiotics and many others. Alcoholic beverages can increase the effects of lithium.

Bipolar Disorder - Related Articles