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Overall Rating
3.22
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Rating:
3.22
(Out of 5 Stars)
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Side Effects
2
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Pricing
4.59
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Average Price: $35.67
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Recommended By
76% of reviewers
(of 38 reviews)
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advertisement
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Lithium Carbonate
Generic Name: Lithium Carbonate LITH-ee-um KAR-bone-ate
Drug Class: Lithium Salts | | Contents | Description | Lithium is used to treat people with bipolar disorder (extreme mood changes from depression or anger to elation). This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Top of page
| | General Information | | This information is for educational purposes only. Not every known side effect, adverse effect, or drug interaction is in this database. If you have questions about your medicines, talk to your healthcare provider. Top of page
| | Proper use of this medicine | Follow the directions on your prescription label. Do not take more or less of lithium than prescribed by your doctor. Lithium may cause an upset stomach. Take lithium with food or milk. Drink at least 8-12 glasses of water or another beverage each day (unless your doctor tells you otherwise) and use a moderate amount of salt on your food. However, if your doctor puts you on a low-salt or low-sodium diet, follow it. Avoid drinking beverages with caffeine, such as tea, coffee, cola, or chocolate milk. The extended-release tablet must be swallowed whole; do not crush or chew it.
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| | Missed Dose | Take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double doses.
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| | Storage | Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture. Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed.
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| | Possible Side Effects | - drowsiness
- upset stomach
- loss of appetite
- stomach pain
- weight gain
- headache
- If you experience any of these side effects, contact your doctor as soon as possible:
- weakness
- tired feeling
- fever
- tremor or muscle spasms
- confusion
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- fast heartbeat
- seizures or involuntary movements
- Unreported side effects are possible, talk to your healthcare provider if any other symptoms occur.
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| | Warnings/Precautions | - Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to lithium, aspirin, tartrazine (a yellow dye in some processed foods and drugs), or any other drugs.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart or kidney disease, shock therapy, thyroid disease, dehydration, or low sodium levels.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking lithium before any surgical or dental procedures.
- This medicine can cause dizziness or drowsiness.
- Be cautious when driving or performing other hazardous activities. This medicine can impair judgment.
- Alcoholic beverages can increase the effects of this medicine and should be avoided.
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| | Overdose | Seek medical attention immediately. U.S. residents can call the national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.
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| | Drug Interactions | - Before taking lithium, tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially acetazolamide (Diamox), caffeine-containing products, captopril (Capoten), carbamazepine (Tegretol), diuretics ('water pills'), enalapril (Vasotec), fluoxetine (Prozac), haloperidol (Haldol), heart medication, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, or Nuprin), iodide salts, lisinopril (Zestril), medication for depression, methyldopa (Aldomet), phenytoin (Dilantin), sodium bicarbonate and other antacids, theophylline (TheoDur), verapamil (Calan), and vitamins.
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| | Pregnancy/Nursing | Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking lithium, call your doctor.
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| | More Information | For more information about this medicine, talk to your healthcare provider.
Top of page
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| Copyright 2006 PharmClips, Inc. All rights reserved. www.pharmclips.com | This information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects. This is general information and should not in any event be construed as specific instructions for individual patients. The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard to the contents of this material. The reader is advised to check with their health care provider before making any changes in their drug regimen.
Last reviewed:
On 8 Aug 2006
By John M. Grohol, Psy.D.
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Reviews
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DaveyJones
Grand Member
Registered: September 2005
Location: Big Orange Country
Posts: 853
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Review Date: Fri September 8, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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works great, inexpensive, minimal side effects
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Cons:
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none
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Still the best mood stabilizer there is...it has had such a positive impact on my life!
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bigdog1263
Member
Registered: September 2006
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 23
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Review Date: Mon September 11, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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has had the biggest impact in my treatment
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Cons:
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none
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only drawback is constant labs & posisbility for liver damage
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eskielover
Grand Magnate
Registered: October 2004
Location: Harrodsburg, Kentucky, USA
Posts: 3118
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Review Date: Thu September 14, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 2
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Pros:
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Cons:
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shaking hands & shaky body
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This med was tried on my during a hospitalization. After taking it, my hands started shaking so bad that I couldn't hold a glass of water without dropping it. The shaky feeling was throughout my body. It was only given to me one time & stopped immediately. I think that for me, it was an inappropriate medication for the depression that I was dealing with which is why I had such an intense reaction.
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darkeyes
Moderator
Community Support Team
Registered: May 2001
Location: US
Posts: 6627
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Review Date: Fri September 15, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Excellent medication for Bipolar disorder. Is non-drowsy,and daily functioning is possible.It has worked miracles for my brother,family members and so many other people I have met. Has the longest track record,than other meds being used as mood stabilizer
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Cons:
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I can't think of any negatives,except having bloodwork 3 times a yrs. If titrated properly any begining side effects will diminsh for many. All medications can have side effects.
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I highly suggest Lithium for anyone DXed with Bipolar-I,even Bipolar-II,it really helps tremendously.
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JudyNky
New Member
Registered: September 2006
Posts: 1
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Review Date: Sat September 23, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 7
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Pros:
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Just started taking last month. Has helped some
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Cons:
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get crying spells for no reason,but not as many
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Just found out I was bipolar last month. I had a week of very severe lows.Couldn't get out of bed. Was put on Lithium.Was already on a drug called Lamictal, which is also a mood stablizer. But, have been battling depression for 20 years. I am just wondering if I have been bipolar all along. I really think I have.
I am gald to join all of you. Been looking for people to talk to.
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Review Date: Sun September 24, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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helped pull me out of a deep depression & increased my energy & enthusiasm for life quickly
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Cons:
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impaired kidney function (had to get off it due to that), hair loss, weight gain
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Due to impaired kidney function on lithium, I had to discontinue it. It definitely lifted my depression (bipolar I)& increased my enthusiasm for life.
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WeepinChild
Newly Joined
Registered: October 2006
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Review Date: Fri October 13, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 6
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Pros:
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It has evened out my life internally
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Cons:
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it doesn't control the outside world
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I have been on Effexor for so long, only due to a new doctor was i diagnosed bipolar. I feel lost a little deeper in my own world cause i have had to do this on my own all along with no one who understands only try to help. But i found this site...so i'm hoping it's a good thing.
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Meta
Member
Registered: July 2006
Posts: 273
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Review Date: Sat October 14, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 4
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Pros:
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perhaps evened out my moods
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Cons:
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very tired, sluggish, hair loss, weight gain
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Would not recommend for mild bipolar==I think I have mild bipolar disease--unlike others in my family who have more severe mood swings--not sure if its best when disease is mild. I think I have only been hypomanic and side effects are as bad if not worse than the mood swings
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Yoda
Member
Registered: October 2006
Location: Appalachia
Posts: 261
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Review Date: Mon October 30, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: $1.00| Rating: 2
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Pros:
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inexpensive
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Cons:
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Got lithium toxic when doctor did not monitor blood levels; side effects did not mention severe itching
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I was taking 300 mg/day and had few blood levels drawn. After being unable to sleep at all for 5 days/nights and severe vomiting/diarrhea I was admitted to a hospital where my lithium level was 2.9 (norm = 0.5-1)
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crazymusiclvr
Member
Registered: January 2006
Posts: 71
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Review Date: Sat December 2, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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A life saver. I've been stable on it for 3 years now
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Cons:
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possible weight gain
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Lithium has helped me control my bipolar disorder. It has helped control the mania and the depression. It's inexpensive. I know people who've been taking it for 20 years.
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deebonetti
Newly Joined
Registered: February 2007
Location: woodtsock ny
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Review Date: Sun February 11, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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My fathher said this is the best drug to use if u have bipolar disorder, its not gonna chaneg ur personality its gonna balance it....
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Cons:
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You have to drink alot of water , and i hheard if u use ithe drug to long u can have health risks but that only rare cases
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i think its the best and only drug to use if u have bipolar disoder..my father swears by it . its doenst change ur personlity it balances it ..it dont make u feel like a fuicking zombie..like alot of the otehr meds do.
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jattitude74
Member
Registered: March 2007
Posts: 124
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Review Date: Wed April 4, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $10.00| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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helped control my moods,
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Cons:
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none so far, besides blood work, and more blood work!! hand tremors
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1200 mg per day, moods aren't so dramatic, still have mood swings just not as bad, been taking for 3 mo. now we will see!!!! Dose was just increased to 1500mg/day. Blood levels have been closely monitored and doc says my mood swings should be going away.Waiting game again!!! Update---lowered dose back to 900mg because of hand tremors. Couldn't even write! Doing better now,added seroquel to the mix along with the lithium. All is good for now.
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savinmyself
New Member
Registered: April 2007
Location: Virginia
Posts: 2
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Review Date: Fri April 20, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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helps to keep my mania's from being out of control
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Cons:
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tremors in hands but it out ways positive affects
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I guess when you have severe mania's and severe depressions another med has to be added i'm also on lexapro and the 2 combined have givin me a "normal" ground
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Psychotic_Phil
Veteran Member
Registered: February 2007
Location: Seattle WA USA
Posts: 303
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Review Date: Fri April 27, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 3
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Pros:
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Relieved some weird mood swings
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Cons:
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Made me a zombie, had hand tremors
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Lithium is ties with Abilify as the worst med ever. This horrifying piece of crap med is equivalent to having your brain chopped into little pieces, then taped back together. My opinion? Stay away from Lithium andd all mood stabilizers in general.
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Murren
Junior Member
Registered: May 2007
Location: Scotland
Posts: 7
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Review Date: Tue May 8, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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It works really well. Success since diagnosis 10 years ago.
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Cons:
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Hardly any...avoid caffeine tho...I am certain that a high caffeine drink caused a relapse.
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Has worked really well for me through major life events and remained stable for 10 years...but i do feel that problems with high caffeine drinks and lithium are under published.
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MOJO3
Member
Registered: May 2007
Location: Earth
Posts: 248
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Review Date: Thu May 31, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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Stopped manic behaviorisms...more balanced...still me...but better than the alternative....mostly manic always with little depression...hardly notice it at all if taken properly
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Cons:
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blood test...blood test...low levels... trembling when started...adjustments to medication make you naseaus...taken for 5 years...rather be with than without. It is inexpensive.
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Had to adjust the amount of salt in my diet, I increased it and lowered my caffine intake in order to adjust the level of lithium im my system...bottom dropped out at .3 needs to be at .9 to work for me...taking 900mg per day now...blood work...twice a year. It is working, I am still stable and working. I also take one asprin everyday because I have read that it increases the effects of lithium.
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dreamrunner
Veteran Member
Registered: May 2007
Posts: 340
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Review Date: Sun June 3, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 7
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Pros:
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seems to help minimize suicidal/self harm thoughts
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Cons:
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blood pressure up a little/doesnt help too much with depression/nausea
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450mg daily dosage
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ChrisM
Member
Registered: June 2007
Location: NY
Posts: 21
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Review Date: Tue June 19, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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This med seems to be the only one that has helped me so far!~~
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Cons:
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I do feel a little dazed ( which could be cool) lol
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I really think I should of been put on this med 2 years ago~! I am finally feeling a little better.
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bat7777
Newly Joined
Registered: September 2007
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Review Date: Fri September 21, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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cheap, few side effects for me
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Cons:
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the stigma of a mood stabilizer, sometimes shakey hands
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well, lithium might make some people into zombies... but i take 1350mg daily and i am not one. was diagnosed bi-plr-1 two years ago, and for most of that time have been on a mix of antidepressents, atypical antipsychotics, and benzos. all in all had remained mostly depressed or manic until lithium was put into the mix. was a bit ambivalent about starting a mood stabilizer - thought i would get fat, bald, and tired. none of the above occured. i feel better and would recommend some of you fellow nutjobs give it a go...
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102riley
New Member
Registered: October 2007
Location: Southeast Alabama
Posts: 3
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Review Date: Wed October 10, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $3.00| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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really controlled my mood swings and slowed me down
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Cons:
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feel a little dopey, mostly headaches, GI, and nausea
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I finally am on the lowest dose possible, 150 mg. I could not handle the major side effects I was experience. I even tried to go back up to 300 mg after some time on the very low dose, but the symptoms came right back. I would recommend this to any bi-polar patient; don't let the internet scare you or the side effects, they do lessen with time.
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st0rmy
Junior Member
Registered: August 2007
Location: China + UK
Posts: 16
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Review Date: Thu October 11, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 2
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Pros:
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Haven't been on it long enough to know...
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Cons:
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Over tired,irritable,no energy and dizzy spells
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I am on prozac and doc gave lithium,convinced that I have Bipolar but I'm still not sure.Was that dizzy that hubby had to help me balance,could not lift my head from the pillows or even tolerate the lights.Hope no one got it as bad as me...
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Barbarian
Newly Joined
Registered: November 2007
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Review Date: Fri November 30, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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Inexpensive; very effective mood stabilizer
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Cons:
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You'll probably gain weight, but usually maxes out after a couple of months.
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For the price, I recommend this drug over any other for mood stabilization. However, if you have the money then I'd invest in Lamictal for both mood stabilization and depression; moreover, I'd suggest combining this drug with another for anti-depressant properties (such as the HIGHLY recommended drug Lamictal -- especially for depression). You cannot lose with this wonderful combination of Lamictal and lithium for bipolar disorder.
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biplr4me
New Member
Registered: July 2007
Location: Pewaukee, WI
Posts: 5
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Review Date: Thu December 20, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 6
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Pros:
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Helped calm my major mood swings and cycling
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Cons:
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Kind of makes you feel flat
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I was on it about 15yrs. ago and it didn't work then but as I have controled my Bi-Polar it seems to work very well with Lamactil, and some cymbalta which I may be going off of. I am looking to find out more about the caffine connection to Lithium. I am an ex-alcholic that went from booze to Coca-Cola as a fill in.
If this is effecting me while using Lithium I'm open to any knowlege of this being a real problem. Otherwise execpt for the kind of flat feeling it works very well.*Update* This has taken all of my emotions and crushed them into oblivion. I don't feel anything but anger I can muster up because I feel like this. I am contacting my meds Dr. to get off this and on something else where I have feeling once more I think this is why I went off Lithium all those years ago. Good luck if it's working for you, but it's killing me emotionally and the 35 lbs. weight gain is not a help for my health.
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runnergrrl
New Member
Registered: January 2008
Posts: 4
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Review Date: Thu January 3, 2008
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $10.00| Rating: 7
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Pros:
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Depression has lowered.
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Cons:
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Numbness, poor cognitive function, poor memory, blood tests, inability to have hard workouts, lack of interest in life
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I am on 900 mg. When I first started it (almost a year ago) I became very happy. But, as time wore on, I almost lost my job because I was forgetting things (I was doing well at my job prior to Lithium). I was running red lights and stopping at green ones. I also noticed a numb feeling. I pretty much do not care about people or life itself. I feel like I just exist. I have had suicidal thoughts. I have tried to get off Lithium, but I became even more severly depressed. My doctor has suggested Abilify, but I don't see any difference in side effects. I have been on almost every drug so my doctor is running out of ideas. Lithium is great, if you can bear with the fact that you will experience at least some of the side effects. I am bearing with it, for my mother.
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ehrhar
Member
Registered: December 2007
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 37
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Review Date: Tue January 15, 2008
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Stable mood
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Cons:
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Hand tremors
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Lithium is also one of my favorite drugs. Though I hate the tremors I know that it is really working for me. I also hate the frequent blood level testing.
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75peanut
Newly Joined
Registered: January 2008
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Review Date: Sun January 20, 2008
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 7
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Pros:
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cheap, works well with Lamictal
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Cons:
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weight gain
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I have been on both Lamictal and Lithium Carbonate now for a year now. Just getting over a cutting episode last week, first time during this past year that I have been on it. Overall I would recommend it.
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LithiumLullabye
New Member
Registered: February 2008
Posts: 2
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Review Date: Sun February 17, 2008
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 7
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Pros:
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no more nightmares, level mood, less agitation
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Cons:
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some weight gain
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Overall, pretty good. I can lead a much more normal life while on this med.
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LBear1947
New Member
Registered: March 2008
Location: Oregon
Posts: 5
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Review Date: Mon March 17, 2008
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $180.00| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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It stabilized me at a very low level.
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Cons:
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The side affects are awful. Headaches bladder irritation sweating
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At 150mg I was fine. Then 300mg the headaches and bladder irritation got very bad. Have suffered through this and can't go higher but I can't take the bladder irritation any more. I also take lamictal which never controlled the mania.
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biplr4me
New Member
Registered: July 2007
Location: Pewaukee, WI
Posts: 5
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Review Date: Mon March 31, 2008
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 0
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Pros:
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Controls the highs and lows of my bi-polar
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Cons:
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Heavy weight gain and crushes you're emotions
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Please see my previous post update but this drug has been horrible for me. It took away all of my emotions and left me with a small amount of bitterness and anger, to help me get the strength to get off of it. The numerous side effects ,for me, are not worth the mood control. I also never expected a 35 lbs weight gain. I am trying to diet and it's not coming off! If lithium works for you hey stay on it but for me I need to find a more mental and body friendly med.
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carbonmade
Newly Joined | | |
