How does it work?

This medicine contains the active ingredient lithium citrate, which is a type of medicine known as a mood stabiliser. The way lithium works as a mood stabilising agent is still not fully understood. It is thought that it modifies the production and turnover of certain chemical compounds called neurotransmitters that are found in the brain. Neurotransmitters are involved in transmitting messages between the nerve cells in the brain. Serotonin is one example of a neurotransmitter, as is dopamine. It is thought that lithium may affect the activity of these compounds in the brain. Lithium is used in several ways. People with bipolar affective disorder (manic depression) suffer from episodes of severe mood swings, which range from extreme excitement (mania) to deep depression. Lithium is used to treat the mania, and to stabilise mood after an acute episode of mood swings to decrease the frequency and intensity of these episodes. It is also used to treat recurrent depression that has not been responsive to other antidepressants, and aggressive and self-harming or self-mutilating behaviour.

What is it used for?

Aggressive or self-harming behaviour

Prevention of recurrent mood problems (affective disorders)

Recurrent bipolar depression (manic depression) when treatment with other antidepressants is unsuccessful

Treatment of mania and hypomania

Warning!

It is important that your kidney, thyroid gland and heart function are checked regularly while you are taking this medicine.

If the level of lithium in your blood gets too high it can cause some unpleasant side effects and can be potentially dangerous. This is often referred to as lithium toxicity, and you should be aware of the warning signs of this. These include: loss of appetite, diarrhoea, vomiting, blurred vision, muscle weakness, lack of co-ordination, drowsiness, tremor, unsteadiness, muscle twitching, ringing in the ears, confusion, seizures and unconsciousness. If you experience any of these symptoms you should consult your doctor immediately so that your lithium level can be checked.

It is important to maintain an adequate fluid intake while you are taking lithium, as dehydration can cause your lithium level to increase. For this reason, if you experience any illness that stops you from eating or drinking properly, or causes vomiting or diarrhoea, or a fever with excessive sweating, you should consult your doctor. You should also make sure you drink enough fluids in hot weather and when exercising, when you sweat more. Remember that alcoholic drinks can also dehydrate you.

It is important that you maintain a normal diet while taking lithium so that the level of salts in your blood remains stable and you don't become dehydrated. It is especially important to avoid dietary changes that suddenly increase or reduce your salt intake, and that you consult your doctor before going on strict diets, as this can affect your lithium level.

Consult your doctor if you need to pass urine more often or experience excessive thirst while taking this medicine.

This medicine is not recommended for use in children and adolescents.

There has to be a certain level of lithium in the blood for it to be effective, but if the level rises too high, unpleasant and potentially serious side effects can occur. For this reason you will need regular blood tests to monitor the amount of lithium in your blood - your lithium level. Your first test should be four to five days after starting treatment, and your doctor may then adjust your dose and do further tests to make sure your lithium level is correct. Once your lithium level has stabilised you should then usually have checks every two to three months.

The lithium level that each brand of lithium produces in the blood varies from brand to brand. For this reason you should ideally always take the same brand. Make sure you know which brand you take, and make sure you receive the correct one each time your medicine is dispensed. If you change brands your lithium level will need to be tested more frequently, in the same way as when you started treatment, until your lithium level stabilises again.

Use with caution in

Elderly people

Not to be used in

Breastfeeding

Decreased kidney function

Heart failure

Inadequate production of natural steroid hormones by the adrenal glands

Untreated hypothyroidism

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine may be harmful to a developing foetus. It should not normally be given to pregnant women unless the potential benefits outweigh the potential risks to the foetus. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

This medicine passes into breast milk and women taking this medicine should therefore not breastfeed. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Label warnings

Follow the printed instructions you have been given with this medication.

This medication is to be swallowed whole, not chewed.

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