How is lithium dosed?

1. Onset of action: After 2-4 weeks at the earliest.
2. dosing. insidious. Initially about 12 mmol lithium/day.
3. Dose increase: Depending on age, therapeutic effect and lithium level. About 18-36 mmol lithium/day. Divided into 2 gifts or. once in the evening.

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Lithium must not be used with:

• Hypersensitivity to the active substance.
• acute renal failure.
• acute myocardial infarction.
• marked hyponatremia.

How does lithium affect the psyche?

Lithium – mood stabilizer, antidepressant, ally in Alzheimer’s. As previously mentioned, lithium significantly reduces suicidal thoughts and is effective in bipolar affective disorder during the manic episode characterized by racing thoughts and excitement.

What does lithium do for depression?

Lithium salts are used to alleviate and prevent depressive and manic-depressive episodes. In Germany, around four million people are currently suffering from depression that requires treatment. In about two-thirds of patients who receive an antidepressant, the effect is not good enough.

Is Lithium an Antidepressant?

In lithium therapy, lithium in the form of some of its salts is used in bipolar disorder, mania or depression on the one hand as a phase prophylactic and on the other hand also for augmentation in connection with antidepressants. Another application is the preventive treatment of cluster headaches.

Does lithium make you tired?

In addition to the overall good effectiveness, numerous interactions and side effects of lithium therapy are also known. Typical undesirable effects are circulatory disorders, fatigue, tremor, weight gain and leukocytosis.

What alternative to lithium drug?

In addition to lithium, antiepileptics such as carbamazepine, valproate or lamotrigine are mainly used. However, the use of some antipsychotics (also called neuroleptics) such as olanzapine, quetiapine or aripiprazole is also possible. Combination therapies are also used.

How long does lithium withdrawal take?

The observation period after stopping the lithium was between 15 days and 5 months.

How often lithium level check?

If lithium is readjusted, the concentration should be measured weekly. It usually takes two to four weeks for lithium levels to stabilize. Otherwise once a quarter is enough. You should also have your lithium level checked if there is a change in your medication.

Which blood values ​​for lithium?

The determination of lithium in the blood should be done twelve hours after the last dose of the drug. Excessively high concentrations of lithium in the blood can lead to the following side effects: tremors, muscle twitching, impaired consciousness and even coma. Concentrations above 4 mmol/L are life-threatening.

How Does Lithium for Bipolar Disorder Work?

Lithium. As many as two-thirds of patients with uncomplicated bipolar disorder respond to lithium, which reduces bipolar mood swings but has no effect on normal mood.

What painkillers can I take with lithium?

Antiphlogistics such as phenylbutazone, dic1ofenac, ibuprofen, indomethacin, but not acetylsalicylic acid reduce renal lithium clearance and thus increase the risk of lithium intoxication. 1. The same applies to the diuretics often used in high-pressure therapy.

Is lithium a drug?

Administered as a drug, lithium carbonate, as Stewart explained, «inhibits violent manic psychoses and may prevent both manic and depressive states—a major cause of suicide.» Since then, the promising chemical has received varying degrees of interest.

Is Lithium a Powerful Drug?

, weight gain), a narrow therapeutic range and various interaction potentials require sound knowledge and experience of the treating person in lithium therapy. and education, however, lithium is overall a safe drug.

What side effects does lithium have?

severe discomfort in the gastrointestinal tract as well as extreme tiredness, dizziness or pronounced tremors. Heavy sweating, fever, diarrhea or taking dehydrating medication (diuretics) can also increase the binding of lithium in the brain and also trigger the side effects mentioned.

Which Doctor Prescribes Lithium?

Doctors therefore prescribe lithium, especially in the long-term therapy of patients with so-called bipolar depression, through which depressive phases alternate with phases of high spirits. Occasionally doctors prescribe lithium to enhance the effects of antidepressants.

Which antidepressants can be combined with lithium?

Combinations of lithium with SSRIs or SNRIs, although databases report these combinations as potentially risky, are usually therapeutically desirable. This also applies to the concomitant administration of mirtazapine and SSRI or SNRI.

Why is lithium dangerous?

Health effects of lithium

Lithium is also explosive: the risk of fire and explosion arises when it comes into contact with flammable substances and water. Inhaling lithium gases can cause burning irritation, coughing, labored breathing or shortness of breath, and an inflamed larynx.

What does lithium do in healthy people?

Neutrons show accumulation of antidepressant in the brain

Lithium is best known for its use in rechargeable batteries. But for decades, lithium has also been used in the treatment of mental illnesses as diverse as depression, mania, and bipolar disorder.

Which foods contain a lot of lithium?

Lithium is found in drinking water and some foods such as meat, fish, eggs and dairy products. 100 g of meat contain about 100 μg of lithium. Various plants such as tobacco or buttercups take up lithium compounds from the soil and accumulate them.

How does lithium work in the brain?

Lithium promotes the uptake of norepinephrine and serotonin into the synaptic nerve endings. It reduces the release of norepinephrine from the synaptic vesicles (synapses) and thereby inhibits its effect.