Lithium Carbonate is a medication used to treat manic phases for bipolar disorder/manic depression. NOTE: NONE OF THIS INFORMATION IS INTENDED AS MEDICAL ADVICE! I AM NOT A DOCTOR!
SIDE EFFECTS:
Lithium side-effect include: Fine hand tremor, polyuria, thirst, transient and mild nausea, general discomfort, Transient EEG and ECG changes, leukocytosis, headache, diffuse nontoxic goiter with or without hypothyroidism, transient hyperglycemia, generalized pruritus with or without rash, cutaneous ulcers, albuminuria, worsening of organic brain syndrome, excessive weight gain, edematous swelling of ankles or wrists, thirst or polyuria (may resemble diabetes mellitus), metallic taste, symptoms similar to Raynaud's phenomenon.
Your Drug May Be Your Problem reports the following possible side-effects:
Lithium flattens emotions by blunting or constricting the range of feeling, resulting in the varying degrees of apathy and indifference. It also slows down the thinking processes. This drug=induced mental and emotional slugginess should be considered lithium's primary "therapeutic" effect. ...Many people experience increasing memory problems after taking lithium for months or years. Their ability to work can become impaired.
Lithium can cause hypothyroidism, cardiac arrhythmia, weight gain, stomach discomfort and diarrhea, skin diseases such as sever acne and rashes, hair loss, tremor, an awkward gait, and serious disorders of the kidneys. It can cause serious life-threatening toxicity of the brain...
Surviving Manic Depression gave me the impression that some of the side effects listed in Your Drug May Be Your Problem are probably the result of lithium toxicity and are not present when lithium-blood level limits are in therapeutic range.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE:
Some side effects I've experienced with lithium: nausea (even when taken with food), headaches, tremors, weight gain, stuttered thoughts, dampened emotions, frequent urination, decreased concentration, hair loss and others.
I took lithium for treating bipolar disorder on and off from 2002-2004. My last dose was on July 11, 2004 and switched to Lamictal.
November 2004. My new psychiatrist convinced me that even a small dose, 300 mg a day, is beneficial for bipolar patients. He added 300 mg of lithium to my 200 mg of Lamictal and I have had no side effects (from the lithium).
ALTERNATIVES:
Depakote, Tegretol, Calan, Klonopin, Catapres, Depakene, and Depokate. They all have their side effects and draw backs.
PRESENTATIONS
Bipolar Grand Rounds: New Concepts in Treating Bipolar Disorder - View the presetation by Dr. Manji "Neurobiology of Bipolar Disorder: Neuroplasticity and Cellular Resilience" and the positive effects of lithium
written on July 27, 2002; modified on January 3, 2005.