What are the symptoms of too much lithium?

What are the symptoms of too much lithium?

In mild lithium toxicity, symptoms include weakness, worsening tremor, mild ataxia, poor concentration and diarrhea. With worsening toxicity, vomiting, the development of a gross tremor, slurred speech, confusion and lethargy emerge (Bauer and Gitlin 2016).

Which are the most serious adverse effects associated with lithium?

Rare/serious side effects Signs of lithium toxicity include severe nausea and vomiting, severe hand tremors, confusion, vision changes, and unsteadiness while standing or walking.

Is 450 mg of lithium a lot?

The right dosage of lithium varies from person to person, but most people are prescribed between 900 milligrams (mg) to 1,200 mg per day, in divided doses. Some people take more than 1,200 mg per day, especially during acute episodes. Others may be more sensitive to lower doses.

Can lithium hurt joints?

Muscular weakness develops early in lithium toxicity, and may occur at lithium levels below 2 mEq/L. Muscle hyperirritability includes fasciculations, twitching, clonic movements of whole limbs. The development of swollen/painful joints and polyarthralgia were unrelated to dosage.

Does lithium make you smell?

Lithium can lead to a broad spectrum of severe side effects, many of which are generally unknown. Case description: One week after starting treatment with lithium, a 55-year-old man with chronic cluster headache noticed a strange and unpleasant taste of various foods and a diminished smell.

Can lithium cause dystonia?

Although lithium-induced dystonia has been well documented in the literature, conflicting evidence discusses whether a patient may be susceptible to adverse effects from the drug after an anoxic brain injury. More recent literature discusses that lithium may, in fact, be neuroprotective.

Why is lithium being discontinued?

Results. Of 873 patients treated with lithium, 54% discontinued lithium, corresponding to 561 episodes of lithium discontinuation. In 62% of episodes, lithium was discontinued due to adverse effects, in 44% due to psychiatric reasons, and in 12% due to physical reasons interfering with lithium treatment.

Is 800mg of lithium a lot?

Does lithium affect your eyes?

Based on the search, documented ophthalmic adverse effects of lithium include: exophthalmos; abnormal eye movements; ocular myasthenia gravis; papilledema; photophobia; and abnormal tear film, contributing to dry eye disease.

Does lithium affect eyesight?

What are the possible side effects of lithium?

Lithium Side Effects 1 Less Common. 2 Incidence Not Known. 3 Symptoms of Overdose. Some side effects of lithium may occur that usually do not need medical… 4 Nervous system. Drowsiness and lack of coordination may be early signs of lithium toxicity,… 5 Cardiovascular. The development of transient ECG changes, chest tightness,…

What are the symptoms of lithium-induced diabetes insipidus?

Symptoms of Lithium-Induced Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus. Although increased thirst and increased urine output are very common side effects of lithium, it’s important to tell your doctor if you have them. About 5% of patients on lithium develop lithium-induced NDI over time, which can be serious if not treated.

Is lithium safe to use?

There has been renewed interest in the use of lithium recently because of its tolerability and effectiveness. Though it has side effects, these can generally be kept to a minimum by starting with a low dose and gradually increasing to the desired strength.

What kind of medication is lithium for bipolar disorder?

Bipolar Medications Library. Lithium is a drug developed from a naturally occurring element that is often prescribed as a mood stabilizer for patients with bipolar disorder. Lithium is sold under many brand names, including Duralith, Eskalith, Lithobid, Lithotabs, Lithane, Lithizine, and Lithonate.

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