Lithium

Lithium is a mood stabiliser used to treat mania and bipolar disorder. Lithium helps keep your mood from becoming too low or too high. In bipolar disorder, lithium can reduce both the number and severity of relapses. It is a little better at preventing manic relapses than depressive relapses. Lithium can also be added to an antidepressant to boost the antidepressant effect. We do not fully understand how lithium works as a mood stabiliser although it is thought to be very complex. It can alter the metabolism of chemical messengers in the brain (neurotransmitters) and have an effect on signalling within and between cells in the brain. Lithium might also be involved in triggering neurogenesis in parts of the brain. This is a process where new nerve cells are formed and may contribute towards improving mood.

it is common to start using side effects when first start taking a new medication, some of the most common side effects of lithium are:

• upset stomach

• fine shake/gentle tremor of your hands

• metallic taste

• weight gain

• feeling thirsty and passing lots of urine

• thyroid problems (symptoms might include feeling tired, dry and scaly skin, weight gain, muscle aches and weakness)

• feeling unusually sleepy

• severe shaking of the hands (tremors)

• stomach ache along with feeling sick and having diarrhoea

• muscle weakness

• being unsteady on your feet

• muscle twitches

• slurring of words, so that it is difficult for others to understand what you are saying

• blurred vision or worsening of eyesight

• confusion

Here are listed only some of the most common side effects, if you would like more information please contact your doctor.

Please do not worry about these side effects. Some people will not get any side effects at all. If you think you are getting side effects from taking lithium, speak to your doctor or pharmacist. If you do get a side effect, please think about reporting it via the 'Yellow Card' system.

If you have taken more lithium than the dosage recommended by the doctor who prescribed it to you, you must get medial help immediately - even if you do not feel any different.