Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSide EffectsWhat Is Lithium?HistoryFunctionUsesBenefitsPrecautionsContraindications
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Side Effects
What Is Lithium?
History
Function
Uses
Benefits
Precautions
Contraindications
Lithium side effects may include diarrhea, rash, hair thinning, weight gain, and more.
Lithium is a mood stabilizer used to treatbipolar disorder, a condition that involves episodes of depression,mania, and hypomania. Lithium is used as an acute treatment for mood episodes and as a long-term treatment to prevent further manic and depressive recurrences.
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Side Effects and Risks
General side effects of lithium may include:
Stop taking lithium and call your healthcare provider right away if you experience:
Some side effects may indicate toxicity. Get emergency medical help if you experience:
Long-term effects of lithium on the brainSome people taking lithium report cognitive challenges, such as impaired memory, poor attention and concentration, and a slowing of thought processes.It is difficult to determine if these symptoms are side effects of lithium or symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Long-term effects of lithium on the brain
Some people taking lithium report cognitive challenges, such as impaired memory, poor attention and concentration, and a slowing of thought processes.It is difficult to determine if these symptoms are side effects of lithium or symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Some people taking lithium report cognitive challenges, such as impaired memory, poor attention and concentration, and a slowing of thought processes.
It is difficult to determine if these symptoms are side effects of lithium or symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Blood tests may be used to monitor for side effects, such as changes in blood cell counts, thyroid function, or kidney function.
Lithium has been prescribed less often in recent years.Reasons include its side effects, the availability of other mood stabilizers, and lithium’s potentially high toxicity burden.
Lithium is a chemical element found in nature. It is a light, soft metal that is used in a variety of forms. Some of these forms, such as lithium carbonate, are used to make the medications that treat bipolar disorder.
Lithium belongs to a class of medications called mood-stabilizing agents, which are medications used to treat bipolar disorder and other mood disorders.It has been considered a first-line treatment for bipolar disorder.
Various studies have found lithium is effective in preventing and reducing the frequency of mood episodes, manic episodes, and depressive episodes.It can decrease manic episode symptoms like elevated or irritable mood, racing thoughts, agitation, and poor sleep.
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Lithium’s use in psychiatric treatments formood disordersdates back to the 19th century.It was not widely used, but its benefits for metabolic disturbances and gout were assumed to be linked to mood dysregulation, and recurrent mood disorders were well documented in medical papers.
Widespread acceptance and adoption of lithium in the United States occurred during the 1970s. Its use in America decreased gradually beginning in the late 1980s, however, with the introduction ofanticonvulsantsandatypical antipsychotics.
These medications are used to treat other conditions and are increasingly being used to treat bipolar disorder.
Lithium is better than anticonvulsants at preventing manic episodes. It also reduces the relapse of mood symptoms, decreases aggression, and possibly decreases impulsivity.
Previous research indicated lithium reduced the risk of suicide in people who have mood disorders, but more recent studies have questioned whether lithium has this effect.
How Lithium Works
Neurotransmittersare chemical messengers that boost, carry, and balance signals between neurons (nerve cells) and target cells throughout the body. Too much or too little of any one neurotransmitter can upset the balance of brain activity, which manifests itself as changes in the way people think, feel, or behave.
Levels of dopamine and serotonin can impact mood, anxiety, sleep, and many other brain functions.Other neurotransmitters that are involved in the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder includenorepinephrine,GABA, and glutamate.
How Long Can You Take Lithium?Lithium is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. Those who are taking lithium should not stop taking the medication even if they are feeling better. Missing doses of lithium may increase the risk of a relapse of mood symptoms. For the medication to function properly, those who are taking lithium must follow their healthcare provider’s instructions on when, how much, and how often to take it.
How Long Can You Take Lithium?
Lithium is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. Those who are taking lithium should not stop taking the medication even if they are feeling better. Missing doses of lithium may increase the risk of a relapse of mood symptoms. For the medication to function properly, those who are taking lithium must follow their healthcare provider’s instructions on when, how much, and how often to take it.
Lithium is not prescribed as often as it was in the past due to its potential toxicity burden and the availability of newer mood stabilizers.But research shows that it is still a reliable and effective treatment for bipolar disorder and could have beneficial effects in the treatment or prevention of some other conditions, including:
Those who are taking lithium should take the following precautions:
Who Should Not Take Lithium?
Lithium should be used with caution or may not be recommended for people with kidney impairment, cardiovascular disease, and children under 12 years.
Those who are pregnant must weigh the risks and benefits of taking lithium with their healthcare providers. Breastfeeding is generally not recommended because lithium is excreted into breast milk.
Summary
Lithium is a mood stabilizer used to treat bipolar disorder. Side effects may include diarrhea, rash, hair thinning, weight gain, and more. It can be a safe and effective treatment option when the dosage and medication schedule are followed as prescribed and precautions are taken.
11 Sources
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