Lithium
side effects, nutrient depletions, herbal interactions and health notes:
Data provided by Applied Health
• Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water or other liquids every day. Drinking plenty of fluids is important while you are taking lithium. Not drinking enough liquids may cause lithium levels to rise. You may need even more liquids during hot weather and during exercise when you sweat heavily. To avoid weight gain, select water and other non-caloric beverages.1
• Keep your salt intake about the same. Do not begin a low-salt diet without first talking with your doctor or pharmacist. Do not suddenly increase the salt in your diet either. Less salt may cause your lithium level to rise. More salt may cause your lithium level to fall.2
• Try to keep your intake of these salty foods about the same from day to day: luncheon meats, ham, sausage; canned or processed meats and fish; packaged mixes; most frozen entrees and meals; soups and broths; processed cheeses like American; salted snack foods; soy sauce; smoked foods; olives, pickles; tomato juice; most fast foods; salt, salt-containing seasonings and condiments like ketchup and meat sauces.3
• It is also important to monitor that your lithium level not be too high. High lithium levels can cause shakiness, muscle weakness, slurred speech, nausea or vomiting, and drowsiness.4
• Keep your caffeine intake about the same. Keep amounts of coffee, tea, cola, and other soft drinks with caffeine about the same from day to day. Less caffeine can cause your lithium level to increase; more caffeine can cause your lithium level to decrease. Avoid caffeine because the effect of these drugs may be changed if taken within 40 minutes of caffeine.5
• Do not take Perphenazine mixed with caffeinated drinks, tannin containing drinks, or pectinate (applejuice).6
• Take lithium with food or milk. This will reduce possible digestive side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.7
References1 Facts and Comparisons, Clinisphere 2.0, Wolters Kluwer Company, 1999.
2 Facts and Comparisons, Clinisphere 2.0, Wolters Kluwer Company, 1999
3 Warren Grant Magnuson Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health Drug-Nutrient Interaction Task Force
4 Facts and Comparisons, Clinisphere 2.0, Wolters Kluwer Company, 1999.
5 Brinker F. Herb contraindications and drug interactions, 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
6 Pronsky, Z Food Medication Interactions, 11th edition, 1999.
7 Pronsky, Z Food Medication Interactions, 11th edition, 1999.
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Disclaimers
The information in Drug Watch is provided as a courtesy to NewsTarget readers by Applied Health Solutions in cooperation with Healthway Solutions. Although the information is presented with scientific references, we do not wish to imply that this represents a comprehensive list of considerations about any specific drug, herb or nutrient. Nor should this information be considered a substitute for the advice of your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare practitioner. Please read the disclaimer about the intentions and limitations of the information provided on these pages. It is important to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all other drugs and nutritional supplements that you are taking if they are recommending a new medication. Copyright © 2007 by Applied Health Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.
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