Lithium Carbonate 250mg

Lithium Carbonate general information

What is Lithium Carbonate used for?

Lithium Carbonate capsules 250mg are used to treat bipolar affective disorder, also known as bipolar depression or manic depression, in which episodes of extreme mood swings alternate between very high excitable mood and very low depression, balanced by periods of “normal mood” in between.  Lithium Carbonate capsules 250mg are a mood stabiliser that helps prevent the recurrence of severe mood swings after an acute episode as well preventing or reducing the symptoms of mania, which is the high mood often accompanied by over activity, agitation, and racing thoughts; also, hypomania which is a less extreme form of mania.  Lithium Carbonate capsules 250mg are also used to treat recurrent bipolar depression in people who have not responded well to other antidepressants and as prophylaxis for recurrent affective disorders, particularly if the symptoms include aggressive or self-harming behaviour. 

How does Lithium Carbonate work?

Lithium Carbonate capsules 250mg contains lithium carbonate, which is a mood stabiliser used to treat and prevent episodes of mania in bipolar affective disorder.  Lithium carbonate is thought to interfere with the action of the sodium pump in the nerve cells of the brain and this can affect the production and release of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which are chemicals that allow nerve cells in the brain (neurones) to communicate.  The flow of sodium ions into and out of nerve cells is essential for transmission of nerve signals and it is thought that lithium ions supplied by lithium carbonate in Lithium Carbonate capsules 250mg compete with sodium ions and this causes a “dampening down” of the excitatory behaviour of nerve cells.  By reducing excitatory nerve transmission Lithium Carbonate capsules 250mg reduce the symptoms of mania, including hyperactivity, reduced need for sleep, grandiosity, elation, poor judgment, aggressiveness, and possibly hostility.  Lithium Carbonate capsules 250mg are formulated for slow steady release, which maintains a steady blood level of lithium carbonate and this helps prevent recurrent episodes of bipolar affective disorder.

What does Lithium Carbonate contain?

Lithium Carbonate capsules 250mg contain the active ingredient lithium carbonate, which is a mood stabiliser used to treat and prevent episodes of mania in bipolar affective disorder.  They also contain lactose monohydrate, maize starch, magnesium stearate, gelatin, EEC Quinoline Yellow E104, FD&C Blue #1 E133, FD&C Yellow #6 E110.

Treating bipolar depression with Lithium Carbonate

Lithium Carbonate capsules 250mg contain lithium carbonate, which is used as a mood stabiliser in the treatment of bipolar affective disorder, also known as bipolar or manic depression.  This disorder is characterised by episodes of extreme mood swings which alternate between very high excitable mood or mania and very low mood or depression.  In between the extremes, mood can become balanced for periods of time.  These mood swings are thought to be due to a malfunction in the brain nerve cells of the sodium pump, which controls the flow of sodium ions into and out of nerve cells and is essential for transmission of nerve signals.  This can affect the production and release of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which are chemicals that allow nerve cells in the brain to communicate, and this may result in alternate periods when there is over stimulation and under stimulation of areas of the brain that control mood.  it is thought that lithium ions supplied by lithium carbonate in Lithium Carbonate capsules 250mg compete with sodium ions and this causes a “dampening down” of the excitatory behaviour of nerve cells, reducing the symptoms of mania, which is the high mood and is often accompanied by over activity, agitation, racing thoughts, reduced need for sleep; also hypomania which is a less extreme form of mania.  Lithium Carbonate capsules 250mg can also help reduce psychotic symptoms of severe mania including, grandiosity, delusions, hallucinations, aggression and hostility. 

What are the side effects of Lithium Carbonate?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Lithium Carbonate capsules 250mg include anorexia, constipation or diarrhoea, abdominal pain, metallic taste, headache, vertigo, fine tremor, increased urine production (polyuria), increased thirst (polydipsia), oedema, altered thyroid function, memory impairment. More serious side effects include kidney damage.  You should be careful not to become dehydrated while taking Lithium Carbonate capsules 250mg, as this can increase risk of lithium toxicity and electrolyte depletion.

When should Lithium Carbonate not be used?

You should not use Lithium Carbonate capsules 250mg if you:

• are allergic to lithium or any ingredients in Lithium Carbonate
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney or heart disease
• have Addison’s disease of the adrenal gland or untreated hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland)
• are taking medicines that interact with Lithium Carbonate, including: SSRI and tricyclic antidepressants, the antibiotics metronidazole and tetracycline, the anticonvulsants topiramate, carbamazepine or phenytoin non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), ACE inhibitors and angiotensin-II receptor antagonists for high blood pressure, diuretics like spironolactone frusemide and hydrochlorothiazide, steroids like prednisone (can affect electrolyte balance), xanthines like caffeine or theophylline for asthma, psyllium or ispaghula husk in laxatives, sodium bicarbonate and sodium chloride containing products, urea used in some skin products, mannitol used as an osmotic diuretic, acetazolamide for glaucoma, neuroleptic type of sedative like risperidone, clozapine, phenothiazines and haloperidol, sumatriptan for migraine, calcium channel blockers, like verapamil, diltiazem and enalapril for heart problems and high blood pressure, the anticonvulsants carbamazepine or phenytoin, methyldopa for high blood pressure, the antipsychotic thioridazine, iodide for thyroid disease, the antispastic agent baclofen, the antibiotic cotrimoxazole, the antiviral acyclovir, prostaglandin-synthetase inhibitors like NSAIDs

What medications interact with Lithium Carbonate?

Several medications interact with Lithium Carbonate capsules 250mg and should either not be taken while you are taking Lithium Carbonate or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Lithium Carbonate or increase side effects: thiazide diuretics, steroids like prednisone (can affect electrolyte balance), SSRI and tricyclic antidepressants, the anticonvulsants, carbamazepine or phenytoin, methyldopa for high blood pressure
• Drugs that affect Lithium Carbonate: SSRI antidepressants, the antibiotics metronidazole and tetracycline, the anticonvulsant topiramate, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), ACE inhibitors and angiotensin-II receptor antagonists for high blood pressure, diuretics like spironolactone frusemide and hydrochlorothiazide, steroids like prednisone, xanthines like caffeine or theophylline for asthma, psyllium or ispaghula husk in laxatives, sodium bicarbonate and sodium chloride containing products, urea used in some skin products, mannitol used as an osmotic diuretic, acetazolamide for glaucoma
• Drugs that are affected by Lithium Carbonate: the antipsychotic thioridazine, iodide for thyroid disease, the antispastic agent baclofen, the antibiotic cotrimoxazole, the antiviral acyclovir, prostaglandin-synthetase inhibitors like NSAIDs

How should Lithium Carbonate be taken?

You should take your Lithium Carbonate capsules 250mg swallowed whole with a glass of water and with food, once daily either morning or evening, or as a divided dose taken in the morning and evening.  The dose you take and how often, depends on your condition and how well your respond and may be increased or decreased by your doctor.  Your doctor will monitor your blood levels of Lithium Carbonate to determine the correct dose and to ensure that the level of Lithium Carbonate in your blood has stabilised.  You should continue to take your Lithium Carbonate capsules 250mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be long-term as Lithium Carbonate capsules 250mg will help control your condition but will not cure it. 

How long should you take Lithium Carbonate?

You should continue to take your Lithium Carbonate capsules 250mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be long-term as Lithium Carbonate capsules 250mg will help control your condition but will not cure it. 

Missed dose of Lithium Carbonate

If you miss a dose of Lithium Carbonate capsules 250mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Lithium Carbonate be stored?

You should store your Lithium Carbonate capsules 250mg below 25°C in a cool dry place and avoid exposure to heat, light and moisture.