Lithium
Lithium

Background

Lithium is a type of metal that is consumed in the diet, mainly in grains and vegetables. Various forms are used in supplements in small doses.

Lithium gets its name from "lithos," the Greek word for stone, because it is present in trace amounts in virtually all rocks. It might help mental disorders by increasing the activity of chemical messengers in the brain. Lithium might also be needed for other functions, like the development of blood cells.

People use lithium supplements for alcohol use disorder, Alzheimer disease, depression, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any of these uses.

Lithium carbonate and lithium citrate are approved by the U.S. FDA as prescription drugs for bipolar disorder. These and other lithium drugs aren't covered in this topic. Lithium supplements contain much lower doses of lithium than drugs.
When taken by mouth: Prescription lithium is likely safe when taken appropriately while under the guidance of a healthcare provider. Lithium carbonate and lithium citrate are U.S. FDA approved prescription drugs. Lithium prescription drugs can cause muscle weakness, fatigue, weight gain, and other side effects. But there isn't enough information to know if lithium supplements are safe to use or what the side effects might be.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy: Lithium is possibly unsafe when taken during pregnancy. It can poison a developing baby and increase the risk of birth defects, including heart problems. But lithium use may be monitored by a healthcare provider when the benefits of using prescription lithium outweigh the risks to the baby.

Breast-feeding: Lithium is likely unsafe to use while breast-feeding. Lithium can enter breast milk and cause unwanted side effects in a nursing infant. It should only be used in very rare circumstances with close monitoring by a healthcare provider.

Children: Lithium citrate and lithium carbonate are possibly safe when used appropriately under the supervision of a healthcare professional in children 7 years and older. There isn't enough reliable information available to know if lithium supplements are safe to use in children or what the side effects might be.

Brugada syndrome: Lithium shouldn't be used in people who have Brugada syndrome or those who have a history of abnormal ECG readings. Also, stop taking lithium and contact your doctor if you start feeling faint or have changes in heartbeat.

Dehydration: Lithium can make dehydration worse. If you are dehydrated or have low salt levels you might need to change your lithium dose. Talk to your doctor.

Elderly individuals: Older age, other illnesses, and use of many medications makes it more likely that someone will have serious lithium side effects.

Heart disease: Lithium may cause irregular heart rhythms. This may be a problem, especially for people who have heart disease.

Kidney disease: Lithium is removed from the body by the kidneys. In people with kidney disease, the amount of lithium that is given might need to be reduced.

Low sodium levels: Lithium can lower the level of salt in the blood. If you already have low levels of salt in the blood, use lithium with caution.

Surgery: Lithium might interfere with surgical procedures that involve anesthesia and other drugs that affect the central nervous system. Lithium supplements should be stopped, with the approval of a healthcare provider, at least two weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Thyroid disease: Lithium might make thyroid problems worse. Make sure to have your thyroid function tested regularly.

Effectiveness

There is interest in using lithium supplements for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Likely effective Effectiveness definitions
Possibly effective Effectiveness definitions
Likely ineffective Effectiveness definitions
Possibly ineffective Effectiveness definitions
Insufficient evidence Effectiveness definitions

Dosing & administration

Lithium is a trace element that is present in some foods. It is also available in prescription drugs. In supplements, there isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of lithium might be. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition.

Interactions with pharmaceuticals

Medications for high blood pressure (ACE inhibitors)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Some medications for high blood pressure can increase lithium levels in the body. Taking lithium along with some medications for high blood pressure might increase lithium levels too much.

Medications for high blood pressure (Calcium channel blockers)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Lithium is commonly used to help fix chemical imbalances in the brain. Some medications for high blood pressure might increase the side effects of lithium, and decrease the amount of lithium in the body.

Medications for mental conditions (Antipsychotic drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Taking lithium with antipsychotic drugs might cause some severe symptoms, including brain damage. Do not take lithium without your healthcare provider's knowledge if you are using antipsychotic drugs.

Medications used to prevent seizures (Anticonvulsants)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Medications used to prevent seizures affect chemicals in the brain. Lithium is commonly used to help fix chemical imbalances in the brain. Taking lithium along with some medications used for seizures might increase the side effects of lithium.

Methyldopa (Aldomet)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Taking methyldopa might increase the effects and side effects of lithium. Do not take lithium if you are taking methyldopa unless it is prescribed by your healthcare provider.

Methylxanthines

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Taking methylxanthines can increase how quickly the body gets rid of lithium. This could decrease how well lithium works. Methylxanthines include aminophylline, caffeine, and theophylline.

Muscle relaxants

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Lithium might increase how long muscle relaxants work. Taking lithium along with muscle relaxants might increase the effects and side effects of muscle relaxants.

NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

NSAIDs might increase lithium levels in the body. Taking lithium along with NSAIDs might increase the risk of lithium side effects. Avoid taking lithium supplements and NSAIDs at the same time.

Phenothiazines

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Taking phenothiazines along with lithium might decrease the effects of lithium. Lithium might also decrease the effects of phenothiazines.

Serotonergic drugs

Interaction Rating=Major Do not take this combination.

Lithium might increase a brain chemical called serotonin. Some medications also have this effect. Taking lithium along with these medications might increase serotonin too much. This might cause serious side effects including heart problems, seizures, and vomiting.

Water pills (Diuretic drugs)

Interaction Rating=Major Do not take this combination.

Some "water pills" can increase how much sodium the body gets rid of in the urine. Decreasing sodium in the body can increase lithium levels in the body and increase the effects and side effects of lithium.

Interactions with herbs & supplements

Caffeine-containing herbs and supplements: Using herbs or supplements that contain caffeine can shorten the time it takes for lithium to leave the body. This might reduce the effects of lithium. Examples of supplements that contain caffeine include black tea, coffee, green tea, guarana, and yerba mate.
Cannabidiol (CBD): Using herbs or supplements that contain cannabidiol (CBD) might increase lithium blood levels. This can increase the effects and side effects of lithium.
Herbs and supplements with serotonergic properties: Lithium increases a brain chemical called serotonin. Taking it along with other supplements that have this effect might cause serious side effects, including heart problems, seizures, and vomiting. Examples of supplements with this effect include 5-HTP, black seed, L-tryptophan, SAMe, and St. John's wort.
Herbs that increase urine flow (act as a diuretic): Herbs that can act as a diuretic might increase lithium blood levels. This can increase the effects and side effects of lithium. Examples of supplements with this effect include asparagus, caffeine, hibiscus, horsetail, and juniper.

Interactions with foods

There are no known interactions with foods.
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