Your doctor should monitor your blood lithium (Lithium) levels routinely to help prevent lithium toxicity. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms of toxicity such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, drowsiness, giddiness, muscle weakness, tremor, twitching, seizures, loss of consciousness, loss of coordination, or increased urination.

Lithium (Lithium) is an antimanic agent.

Use Lithium as directed by your doctor.

Drinking extra fluids while you are taking Lithium (Lithium) is recommended. Check with your doctor for instructions.

Do not change your diet, including the amount of salt in your diet, unless instructed by your doctor.

Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Mild hand tremor; mild thirst; temporary, mild nausea and general discomfort at the beginning of treatment.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blurred vision; confusion; diarrhea; drowsiness; excessive weight gain; fainting; giddiness; inability to control the bladder or bowels; increased thirst; increased or decreased urination; involuntary twitching or muscle movements; loss of consciousness; loss of coordination; muscle weakness; persistent headache; persistent or severe nausea; ringing in the ears; seizures; slow or irregular heartbeat; slurred speech; swelling of the ankles or wrists; unsteadiness; vision changes; vomiting.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider.

Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

Acetazolamide, urea, urinary alkalinizers (eg, sodium bicarbonate), or xanthines (eg, theophylline) because they may decrease Lithium (Lithium)'s effectiveness
ACE inhibitors (eg, enalapril), angiotensin II receptor antagonists (eg, losartan), calcium channel blockers (eg, verapamil), carbamazepine, diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide), hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), methyldopa, metronidazole, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, indomethacin, celecoxib), or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants (eg, fluoxetine) because the risk of toxicity of Lithium (Lithium) may be increased
Butyrophenones (eg, haloperidol) or other medicines for mental or mood problems because the risk of serious side effects, such as confusion, involuntary muscle movements, fever, and brain damage, may be increased
Iodide preparations (eg, potassium iodide) because the risk of low thyroid levels may be increased
Nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers (eg, vecuronium) or succinylcholine because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Lithium (Lithium)

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Lithium (Lithium) may interact with other medicines that you take.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding

if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement

if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances

if you have diarrhea, vomiting, excessive sweating, dehydration, fever, infection, or illness, or you are in a weakened state

if you have kidney, heart, blood vessel, or thyroid problems

if you have brain or nerve problems (eg, organic brain syndrome)

if you are on a low-salt diet

Do not double doses to make up for a missed dose.

Treating manic episodes in patients with bipolar disorder.

Lithium (Lithium) is also used to reduce the frequency and decrease the severity of manic episodes in patients with bipolar disorder.

Lithium (Lithium) may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Store away from heat and direct light.

Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Lithium (Lithium) before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.

Fever, infection, vomiting, diarrhea, or excessive sweating may affect the levels of Lithium (Lithium) in your blood. If you experience any of these conditions, contact your doctor.

Do not change the amount of salt in your diet unless instructed by your doctor.

If you have any questions about Lithium (Lithium), please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.