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Lithium Carbonate
Pronounced:Lith-ee-um
Other brand name(s): Eskalith CR, Lithobid, Duralith
Lithium is used to treat the manic episodes of manic-depressive illness, a condition in which a person's mood swings from depression to excessive excitement. A manic episode may involve some or all of the following symptoms:
Aggressiveness
Elation
Fast, urgent talking
Frenetic physical activity
Grandiose, unrealistic ideas
Hostility
Little need for sleep
Poor judgment
Once the mania subsides, Lithium treatment may be continued over the long term, at a somewhat lower dosage, to prevent or reduce the intensity of future manic episodes.
Some doctors also prescribe lithium for premenstrual tension, eating disorders such as bulimia, certain movement disorders, and sexual addictions.
ADULTS
Acute Episodes
The usual dosage is a total of 1,800 milligrams per day. Immediate-release forms are taken in 3 or 4 doses per day; long-acting forms are taken twice a day.
Your doctor will individualize your dosage according to the levels of the drug in your blood. Your blood levels should be checked at least twice a week when the drug is first prescribed and on a regular basis thereafter.
Long-term Control
Dosage will vary from one individual to another, but a total of 900 milligrams to 1,200 milligrams per day is typical. Immediate-release forms are taken in 3 or 4 doses per day; long-acting forms are taken twice a day.
Blood levels in most cases should be checked every 2 months.
CHILDREN
Safety and effectiveness of Lithium in children under 12 years of age have not been established.
OLDER ADULTS
Older people often need less Lithium and may show signs of overdose at a dosage younger people can handle well. |
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