LITHIUM CARBONATE Reviews (LITHIUM CARBONATE)Average Rating: 3.3 (326 Ratings)Filter ResultsCompare LITHIUM CARBONATE with similar:
Type: Rx Drug
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Results are sorted by length of time drug was taken longest to shortest. Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.) |
More on LITHIUM CARBONATE: Reviews Summary | Drug Safety Information
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR LITHIUM CARBONA | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
| 5 | Bipolar | Mainly thirst - the rest manageable. Also, maintaining drug regimen at 4 tabs/day a challenge. | More information about the long term effects of Lithium would help ease concerns about the drug. Research looking for ways to eliminate so many dosages/day would be nice. Drug errors may be reduced by taking fewer pills per day. SJM | M | 58 | 35 years 300mg 4X day | 8/18/2010 | 2 | diagnosed bipolar during crisis | At first this drug felt like a miracle. YEAR ONE: - hypothyroidism - weight gain - flat affect - constant diarrhea - water gain - thirst YEAR TWO to TEN (approx.) Following years (2-10) - same as above - low libido - more sleep - beginning of memory problems - frequent urination - panic attacks - phobias - vertigo - skin insensitivity YEAR TEN TO THIRTY-FIVE - all of the above increased - GFR kidney begins to decrease - despair - antisocial - fatigue - dyspnea - chest pain - seizures LAST 3 MONTHS - interaction with antihypertensives led to lithium toxicity (1.9) due to kidneys unable to filter the lithium - inability to remember words, or to speak, or to walk for a week - GFR decrease - cardiac problems - tremor - very sick, one month prior to mother's death and bad flu My dr. asked my husband to watch out for relapse, e.g. mania. He never saw me manic, just depressed prior treatment. Presently, my GFR has climbed from 40 to | I think that hospitals should hire more IT professionals for databases on drug interactions. I also believe that lithium should be monitored more often and the dose should be regulated at minimum therapeutic index. I was monitored once a year. Dr. Mogens Schou, suggested a "lithium holiday" to ease the kidney progessive failure, and give the body a chance to recover once in a while. He was a pioneer in lithium treatment. I am afraid that all pharmaceutical treatment has declined in intelligent monitoring in the past three decades or so. In general, I believe that pharmaceutical representatives and ad CEO's who advertise their drugs by saying "speak to your doctor about his wonderful drug" (well, FDA may have to give the dirty details) should not act as middle men to physicians but do the direct monitoring of the patients themselves, and that should include all meds, not just lithium. Lithium in particular has a narrow therapeutic index. | F | 67 | 35 years 900mg 3X day | 9/5/2018 | 5 | M | 58 | 33 years 900mg 1X day | 11/11/2019 | 5 | Thirst during exertion or heat. Occasional diarrhea due imbalance of fluids during hot weather. Long term symptoms of vertigo or ringing and buzzing of ears possibly | I have been on Lithium Carbonate or it's derivatives since 1978. Being Bipolar was just a progression of being treated for ADHD or Hyperactivity in the late 1960's to late 1970's. Being on Lithium has helped me to focus and concentrate on the task better. My doctors have tried other drugs to treat my Bipolar symptoms but have come to the conclusion that it seems to work best | M | 50 | 32 years 300 4X day | 5/18/2010 | 5 | bipolar | some weight gain,if I have any others I have forgotten them | Lithium saved my live exactly 3 weeks after taking it. I work the rest to keep us stable | F | 57 | 30 years 650mg 1X day | 2/27/2011 | 5 | Bi-Polar | Weight gain, hand tremors and sometimes nausea. | I tried many drugs over the first years. The hand tremors didn't start until the last 10 years so it may not be the medication. I believe, Lithium has saved my marriage, my family and my life. The side effects are a small price to pay. | F | 78 | 30 years | 10/10/2006 | 4 | Bipolar | Slight hand tremors; constant thirst; caused hypothyroidism with extremely dry skin but taking Levothyroxine. | Three different orthopedic hand surgeons have stated that Lithium causes weakening of the connective tissues of joints, targeting smaller areas first. Since 2000 I have had 8 hand/wrist surgeries for trigger fingers and tendon repairs. My psychiatrist denies any connection with Lithium. | F | 62 | 30 years 300 mg 3X day | 1/11/2011 | 5 | Bipolar I | Been on 28 years. Family history of bipolar. Been on 900mg, currently on 600mg. Works well to calm and keep anti-manic, less reactive to perceived slights. I remember gaining weight lost when first put on lithium but have lost and gain weight over the years. Concerned about possible kidney function decrease as also became type 2 diabetic along with high blood pressure and below normal testosterone Wonder how reducing sodium for high BP would effect lithium which requires sodium in diet. Muscle aches from too high dose, not necessarily toxic levels. Recently added Klonopin as needed to stop racing thoughts and help sleep. | I've learned to reduce or increase dosage to accomodate situations. If I need more "manic" creative energy, or need to be proactive, will decrease slightly for a day or two. If become too irritable and suspicious, will increase dosage. Too sluggish, will decrease dosage. One has to learn how to recognize what is "normal" behavior from bipolar thoughts. Depending on where you are in your high/low cycle you may experience depression for a day or two. I've found changing lithium levels does cause more problems than staying at same level. While routine blood levels are needed to avoid toxicity, I've been below the therapeutic range for years and just go based on clinical symptoms. If you want to be slow, very dull and less reactive, keep blood level at high normal range. Low normal range allows more manic energy to come through. Classical homeopathic (alternative) treatment has helped decrease dosage needed. | M | 49 | 28 years | 4/14/2008 | 5 | Bi-polar | I'm lucky. Some decrease in recent years in thyroid activity and have to take thyroid meds. No other side effects except initially gaining and maintaining 5 extra pounds. Maintain a level of 1.0 on 750 mgs a day. | I don't think it's good for long term. It is very hard on your thyroid. | F | 62 | 25 years 750mg day 3X day | 4/13/2011 | 5 | Bi-Polar | Weight gain, hand tremors and sometimes nausea. | I tried many drugs over the first years. The hand tremors didn't start until the last 10 years so it may not be the medication. I believe, Lithium has saved my marriage, my family and my life. The side effects are a small price to pay. | F | 78 | 25 years | 10/10/2006 | 5 | Manic depression | Polyuria, weight gain, thirst, heaviness | Miracle drug! I call it a "clean" drug because it does not affect consciousness; however, the dose needs a meter - anyone interested in its manufacture, please contact me. Squiggles | F | 51 | 22 years | 10/18/2002 | 5 | bipolar | early tremors; more pee, hard to lose weight | was totally psychotic when originally hospitalized; it took over 3 weeks to stop hallucinations; since taking lithium I have gone through law school, passed the bar, and had a successful career as a trial attorney for nearly fifteen years. I have a great shrink and supportive family who have helped make this possible. TAKE YOUR MEDS and listen to your docs and your family; you will be OK | F | 48 | 22 years | 6/26/2007 | 4 | nothing else worked for depression | Drink a lot and pee a lot. After years my hair started falling out. I do not do well in the heat, so summer is a bad time for me. Weight gain. | After taking Thorazine and Mellaril and many other life-stomping drugs, my doc suggested Lithium. The difference is like night and day. The wonderful feeling of endlessly floating on the water is like no other. I do wish my hair wouldn't fall out., but I guess it's a small price to pay for a lifetime of not living in the pit of depression. | F | 58 | 22 years | 1/9/2007 | 5 | major dep, later diagnosed as BP I | Occasional tremor; rare, short-lived (20-30 min.) nausea when combined w/ depakote; other than those, I really don't recall any other side effects in 20 years. I guess I'm fortunate in this sense. The WORST "side effect" is the one caused by stopping Lithium suddenly: depression, uncontrolled anger and mania can return quickly and heavily when med is stopped quickly. When Lithium has been stopped--for whatever reason--I find I can get back on track (feeling OK again) 3-5 days after resuming this great, naturally occurring mineral. Whatever weight gain I might have had was relatively minor and was remedied by increased excercise. | Lithium is like "manna from heaven," one of God's great gifts to humankind. It can't be monopolized by any company because it's a naturally occurring mineral! I currently take it with Wellbutrin XL, Lexapro and Lamictal (Lamictal was added 4 months ago and works great for my BP depression, which Lithium couldn't completely take care of. See review of Lamictal for more.) The above combination is my best "cocktail" in more than 20 years of treatment. Most people in remission with bipolar disorder know that taking 4-5 drugs is fairly typical and often necessary to keep labile mood in check. I will sing the praises of Lithium forever. | M | 49 | 20 years | 11/15/2005 | 5 | bipolar | indigestion so I now take the full daily allotment at bedtime. | its no cure cure for bi-po but it does aid in the mood fluctuations. Have taken it (300 mg. q.i.d.) for over 20 yrs. | F | 55 | 20 years | 6/10/2002 | 5 | Bipolar I, extreme mania | Dry mouth,slight weight gain, hormonal acne, brain fog | Life saving medication, as long as I take it faithfully. Prevents manic episodes. Side effects very minor | F | 40 | 20 years 600mg dail | 1/22/2018 | 2 | bipolar 1 | depression made much worse it put a ceiling on my feeling of well-being. stopped it, and felt the best I've been in 10 years. but must say I've only been off it 2 months. other down side I have upset my consultant who wanted me to stay on it. I still had manic episodes on in. also I was in a continual depressed state, so sorry consultant, but I need a life! | its easy to just get left on this drug, even if its benefits are minimal or none existent. | F | 57 | 20 years 600 1X day | 2/18/2012 | 5 | bipolar one | impacted thyroid function (taking small dose of thyroxin); thirst; weight gain is difficult to comment on - possibly makes it more difficult to lose weight but not the actual cause of weight gain per se?? | Have taken lithium since age 20, and in 18 years have had only one serious episode of depression (to the point of affecting everyday functioning). I take 1000 mg, half in the morning, half at night. Never been toxic and always managed to stay in the middle of the therapeutic range. It's really important to be proactive and take responsibility for monitoring your own bloods. My thyroid function has been affected (after 7 years on Li) but that is resolved now with meds. Very aware of need to monitor kidney function too. Tested thoroughly 2 years ago and all good. Initially I took lithium on its own and over the years have had to add aropax (later replaced with effexor). Also now taking a minimal dose of a blood pressure medication - this may be a weight related issue - I am 20 kg (44 pounds) overweight. Have been able to lose weight on lithium (19 kg once, 11 kg more recently). So although weight is a problem for me, I am not sure how much it can attributed to taking lithium. | F | 38 | 18 years | 6/15/2008 | 5 | Bipolar I mania | None after six months. | I feel normal (like I did before my manic episode with psychosis at age 35) on Lithium carbonate. I also take Effexor. No symptoms when Lithium titrated to .6-.7 mmol/L. | M | 53 | 18 years | 10/28/2009 | 5 | bipolar depression | For bloating I take B6 every day. Other than that have had no side effects. Take generic by West Ward same as Eskalith CR. Controlled Release form takes care of bad side effects so it don't ever have any b/c only releases small amount throughout the day. | Has been a wonder drug for me. I have been on it for 15 years and it completely gave me my life back. No more debilitating suicidial depressions and no more mania either. I am on an even keel. As far as I am concerned it is the only treatment for bipolar disorder. During the initial phase, 1st few months you have to give it a chance b/c it takes awhile for your brain chemicals to level back out and your body to adjust to the medicine. Plus you need a good doctor who teaches you how to take this medicine, like when you are sick with "stomach flu" for example your electrolytes are messed up and you should come off drug for about a day or so, so you do not become toxic. Vomiting and diarrhea messes up lithium levels and one pill's half life is 24 hrs. Once you learn all these things you will never get toxic again and will be able to manage your condition without difficulty. | F | 38 | 15 years | 12/13/2007 |
LITHIUM CARBONATE (LITHIUM CARBONATE): This medication is used to treat manic-depressive disorder (bipolar disorder). It works to stabilize the mood and reduce extremes in behavior by restoring the balance of certain natural substances (neurotransmitters) in the brain. Some of the benefits of continued use of this medication include decreasing how often manic episodes occur and decreasing the symptoms of manic episodes, such as exaggerated feelings of well-being, feelings that others wish to harm you, irritability, anxiousness, rapid/loud speech, and aggressive/hostile behaviors. (Sources: U.S. Centers for Medicare Services, FDA)