What about salt and fluid intake?
• The amount of salt in your diet can change the level of lithium in
your blood. Eat a balanced diet and avoid crash diets. It is
important to keep taking lots of fluid especially in situations where
there is risk of dehydration and increased loss of salt, eg after
exercise, long distance air travel, sickness, fever, diarrhoea and hot
weather.
What about alcohol?
Taking lithium and alcohol can make people feel very drowsy and can also
change the level of lithium in the blood. It’s best to avoid alcohol in the first week.
After this try a glass of your normal drink. If you feel OK you should be able to
drink in moderation, ie 1-2 units per day. Don’t stop taking lithium just because
you fancy a drink.
What about pregnancy?
Lithium may affect the unborn baby. If you are pregnant, tell your doctor now. If
you are planning a baby, speak to your doctor before stopping contraception.
When I feel better can I stop taking it?
No, lithium is not addictive but you should not stop taking it suddenly. This can be
dangerous and might bring back your original symptoms. You and your doctor
should decide together if and when you can come off it. Most people need to be
on lithium for quite a long time, usually, years
.
What will happen to me when I start taking my lithium?
Any depression should get better after only a couple of weeks. Your swings in
mood may, however, not go away for quite some months, but don’t give up. Good
days will be followed by bad days – this is quite normal. Eventually, you should
have fewer and fewer days when you feel sad or on edge. Give your lithium a
chance to work.
It’s a bit of a nuisance, but you might get some side-effects before your mood
gets any better. Most of these are quite mild and should go away after a week or
so. Sometimes, the amount of lithium in your body gets too high which can be
dangerous. You need to be able to spot the side-effects which can mean a high
level of lithium. Look at the table opposite. It tells you what to do if you get any
side-effects. Not everyone will get the side-effects shown
.
Side-Effect What
happens/What you
may notice
How
common
is it
What to do about it
Tremor Fine shaking of your
hands.
COMMON This is not dangerous but it
can be irritating. If it annoys
you, your doctor may be able
to give you something for it. If
it gets worse and spreads to
the legs or jaw, stop taking
your lithium and see your
doctor.*
Stomach Upset This includes feeling and
being sick and getting
diarrhoea.
COMMON If it is mild, see your
pharmacist. If it lasts for more
than a day, see your doctor.*
Polyuria Passing a lot of urine. COMMON Don’t drink too much alcohol.
Tell your doctor about it as
some blood and urine tests
may be needed.*
Metallic Taste Your mouth tastes as if it
has had metal or
something bitter in it
COMMON This should wear off after a
few weeks – if not, mention
this to your doctor next time
you meet*. A change in dose
may help.
Polydipsia Feeling very thirsty. Your
mouth is dry and there
may be a metallic taste.
COMMON Try drinking water or low
calorie drinks in moderation.
Try sucking sugar free boiled
sweets.
Weight gain Eating and drinking more.
Putting on weight
LESS
COMMON
Try drinking water or low
calorie drinks in moderation.
Exercise and a healthy diet
are important. Ask your
Practice Nurse for advice.
Hypothyroidism Low thyroid activity. You
feel tired.
LESS
COMMON
Tell your doctor as it may be
necessary for him/her to
prescribe some thyroid
replacement tablets.*
Skin Changes For example, rash, acne,
psoriasis
RARE Stop taking your lithium and
contact your doctor
immediately.*
Blurred Vision Your lithium level may be
too high. Things look
fuzzy and you can’t focus.
RARE Stop taking your lithium and
contact your doctor
immediately.*
Drowsiness Your lithium level may be
too high. Feeling sleepy
and sluggish in the
daytime.
RARE Stop taking your lithium and
contact your doctor
immediately.*
Confusion Your lithium level may be
too high.
Your mind is all mixed up.
RARE Stop taking your lithium and
contact your doctor
immediately.*
Palpitations Your lithium level may be
too high.
Your heartbeat feels fast.
RARE Stop taking your lithium and
contact your doctor
immediately.*
*The doctor who issues your prescription.