Lithium (Systemic)
Brand Names : Cibalith-S, Eskalith, Eskalith CR, Lithane, Lithobid, Lithonate, Lithotabs, Carbolith, Duralith, Lithizine
Proper Use of This MedicineTake this
medicine after a meal or snack. Doing so will reduce stomach upset, tremors,
or weakness and may also prevent a laxative effect.
For patients taking the long-acting or slow-release
form
of lithium:
-
Swallow the tablet or capsule whole.
-
Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing.
For patients taking the syrup form
of lithium:
-
Dilute the syrup in fruit juice or another flavored beverage before
taking.
During treatment with lithium, drink 2 or 3 quarts
of water or other fluids each day, and use a normal amount of salt in your
food
, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Take this medicine exactly as directed
. Do not
take more or less of it, do not take it more or less often, and do not take
it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance
of unwanted effects.
Sometimes lithium must be taken for 1 to several weeks
before you begin to feel better
.
In order for lithium to work properly, it must be taken
every day in regularly spaced doses as ordered by your doctor
. This
is necessary to keep a constant amount of lithium in your blood. To help keep
the amount constant, do not miss any doses and do not
stop taking the medicine even if you feel better
.
Dosing - The dose of lithium will be different for different
patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions
on the label
. The following information includes only the average doses
of lithium. If your dose is different, do not change
it
unless your doctor tells you to do so. The number of capsules or tablets or teaspoonfuls of syrup that you take
depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number
of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length
of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you
are using lithium
.
-
For short-acting oral
dosage forms (capsules,
tablets, syrup):
-
Adults and adolescents: To start, 300 to 600 milligrams three times
a day.
-
Children up to 12 years of age: The dose is based on body weight.
To start, the usual dose is 15 to 20 milligrams per kilogram of body weight
(6.8 to 9 milligrams per pound) a day, given in smaller doses two or three
times during the day.
-
For long-acting oral
dosage forms (slow-release
capsules, extended-release tablets):
-
Adults and adolescents: 300 to 600 milligrams three times a day,
or 450 to 900 milligrams two times a day.
-
Children up to 12 years of age: Dose must be determined by the doctor.
Missed dose - If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as
soon as possible. However, if it is within 4 hours (about 6 hours for extended-release
tablets or slow-release capsules) of your next dose, skip the missed dose
and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage - To store this medicine:
-
Keep out of the reach of children.
-
Store away from heat and direct light.
-
Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other
damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
-
Keep the syrup form of this medicine from freezing.
-
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure
that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
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