About Lithium Carbonate SR 450 mg Tablet
Lithium Carbonate SR 450 mg Tablet contains Lithium Carbonate 450 mg (SR). Lithium is a mood stabiliser. It is used to treat and prevent episodes of mania and depression in bipolar disorder, and sometimes for depression that has not improved with other treatments. The amount of lithium in the blood must be kept within a narrow range, so regular blood tests are essential.
Uses of Lithium Carbonate SR 450 mg Tablet
- Bipolar disorder — treating and preventing mania and depression
- Recurrent depression, along with other treatment, as advised by a specialist
Benefits
In bipolar disorder
Taken regularly, it helps keep mood more stable and lowers the chance of future episodes of mania or depression.
Side effects
Regular blood tests check your lithium level, kidney and thyroid function. Do not stop taking it suddenly, as your symptoms may come back.
Common
- Fine shaking of the hands
- Thirst
- Passing more urine
- Nausea or loose stools
- Weight gain
- Metallic taste
Get medical help if you notice
- Signs of too much lithium: vomiting, diarrhoea, coarse shaking, unsteadiness, slurred speech, muscle twitching, confusion or severe drowsiness — stop taking it and seek urgent medical help
- Tiredness, feeling cold, weight gain or swelling in the neck (possible thyroid problem) — contact your doctor
- Passing very large amounts of urine or very little urine — contact your doctor
- Fainting, a slow or irregular heartbeat — seek medical help
How to use
Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed, at the same time each day. Swallow the tablet with water; do not crush or chew slow-release tablets. Keep to the same brand unless your doctor changes it, as different brands may give different blood levels. Drink enough fluids every day and keep your salt intake steady.
How it works
The exact way it works is not fully understood. It is thought to affect signalling inside nerve cells and the balance of chemical messengers in the brain, which helps steady mood.
Safety advice
Alcohol Unsafe
Avoid alcohol. It can add to drowsiness, cause dehydration and make mood harder to control.
Pregnancy Unsafe
Lithium can harm the developing baby, including the heart, especially early in pregnancy. If you are planning a pregnancy or become pregnant, talk to your doctor straight away — do not stop it on your own.
Breastfeeding Unsafe
Lithium passes into breast milk and can affect the baby. Breastfeeding is generally not recommended; talk to your doctor.
Driving Caution
It can cause drowsiness, shaking or blurred vision. Do not drive if you feel affected.
Kidney Unsafe
Lithium is removed by the kidneys and can affect them. It is generally not used in significant kidney disease, and your kidney function will be checked regularly.
Liver Consult your doctor
Tell your doctor if you have liver disease.
If you miss a dose
If you miss a dose, take it when you remember, unless it is nearly time for the next dose — then skip the missed one. Never take two doses together.
Quick tips
- Keep all your blood test appointments.
- Drink enough fluids, especially in hot weather, during exercise or when unwell with vomiting, diarrhoea or fever.
- Do not suddenly change how much salt you eat.
- Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking painkillers such as ibuprofen, or any new medicine.
- Carry a lithium card or note that says you take lithium.
Substitutes
Same salts in the same strength from other makers. Only switch brands on your doctor's or pharmacist's advice; our pharmacist checks every order against the prescription.
Same salts, other strengths or forms
Fact box
- Chemical class
- Alkali metal salt
- Therapeutic class
- Neuro / psychiatric
- Action class
- Mood stabiliser
- Habit forming
- No
- Prescription
- Required
Interactions with other medicines
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin and herbal product you take.
| Medicine | What can happen |
|---|---|
| NSAID pain relievers such as ibuprofen and diclofenac | Raise lithium levels and the risk of toxicity |
| Water tablets (diuretics), ACE inhibitors and ARBs | Raise lithium levels |
| SSRI antidepressants and some other mental-health medicines | May increase side effects affecting the brain and nerves |
| Theophylline, caffeine and sodium bicarbonate (some antacids) | Can lower lithium levels |
This page is general information to help you understand your medicine. It is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop or change a medicine on your own.
Written by the Asthra Health Care team from the approved prescribing information (Lithium carbonate prescribing information (CDSCO-approved labelling); Lithium carbonate Summary of Product Characteristics (EMC); NICE BNF: lithium). Pharmacist review pending.