
Precautions
Lithonate is used in the treatment of bipolar disorder; mania; schizoaffective disorder and belongs to the drug class antimanic agents . There is positive evidence of human fetal risk during pregnancy. Lithonate 300 mg is not a controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).
What is the drug lithonate used to treat?
So lithium carbonate works by altering ion transport and neurotransmitter re uptake. We use lithium carbonate for the treatment of mania. So lithium does come with some side effects and these can include things like fatigue, confusion, nausea, and Anor, let’s take a look at a few nursing considerations for lithium.
How does lithium carbonate work?
So the therapeutic class of a drug is how the drug works in the body. And in this case, the therapeutic class of lithium carbonate is a mood stabilizer. The pharmacologic class is the chemical effect of the drug. And for lithium, this is an anti manic agent. So lithium carbonate works by altering ion transport and neurotransmitter re uptake.
What is the therapeutic and pharmacologic class of lithium carbonate?
We use lithium carbonate for the treatment of mania. So lithium does come with some side effects and these can include things like fatigue, confusion, nausea, and Anor, let’s take a look at a few nursing considerations for lithium.
What are the side effects of lithium carbonate?

What does lithium do in the body?
Lithium helps reduce the severity and frequency of mania — the elevated, euphoric end of the mood scale — and may help to treat bipolar depression. If you have been at risk of suicide, lithium may help reduce these feelings. Lithium also helps prevent manic and depressive episodes occurring in the future.
Is lithium a powerful drug?
“It is the most mysterious drug in psychiatry,” says De-Maw Chuang, a biologist at the National Institute of Mental Health. “It's so small, but it is so powerful.” Unlike other psychoactive chemicals—large, complex molecules like Prozac (fluoxetine) or Abilify (aripiprazole)—lithium is extremely simple.
What are the side effects of taking lithium?
Side EffectsConfusion, poor memory, or lack of awareness.fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse.frequent urination.increased thirst.slow heartbeat.stiffness of the arms or legs.troubled breathing (especially during hard work or exercise)weight gain.
What is lithium carbonate used for?
This medication is used to treat manic-depressive disorder (bipolar disorder). It works to stabilize the mood and reduce extremes in behavior by restoring the balance of certain natural substances (neurotransmitters) in the brain.
Does lithium make you happy?
Lithium is a type of medicine known as a mood stabiliser. It's used to treat mood disorders such as: mania (feeling highly excited, overactive or distracted) hypo-mania (similar to mania, but less severe)
Does lithium change your personality?
Substantial affect and mood changes are induced by lithium carbonate. Lethargy, dysphoria, a loss of interest in interacting with others and the environment, and a state of increased mental confusion were reported. No generalized effects were found in the responses to the personality inventories.
Is lithium good for anxiety?
Lithium improves the body's ability to synthesize serotonin. This simply means that the body's levels of serotonin increase in response to lithium, which has the effect of improving mood and reducing feelings of anxiousness.
How long can you stay on lithium?
If you have bipolar disorder, you may be offered lithium for a longer period, to prevent or reduce your risk of relapse. Your doctor may suggest that you commit to taking lithium for at least six months, possibly longer. This is because it can take some time to make sure the medication is working effectively.
What happens if you take lithium and you're not bipolar?
In more severe cases, you may experience neurological or cardiovascular problems. In early lithium toxicity, you may have mild confusion. As the toxicity worsens, you may feel delirious or even have seizures or go into a coma. In very rare cases, lithium toxicity may cause diabetes insipidus.
Is Lithium Carbonate a mood stabilizer?
Lithium. Lithium is a mood stabilising medication commonly used to treat bipolar disorder. It can be prescribed as: lithium carbonate (Camcolit, Priadel, Liskonum)
Is Lithium Carbonate a psychotropic medication?
Discovered in 1817,1 lithium originally was used to treat gout because uric acid deposits in gouty phalanges dissolved in lithium carbonate.
Does lithium help with depression?
Is lithium a proven treatment for depression? Lithium does have a strong clinical track record as an effective treatment for bipolar depression. Specifically, over 300 studies in a clinical review showed that lithium use notably suppressed suicide attempts and suicides in study participants.
When was lithium last updated?
Last updated on June 13, 2020. Note: This document contains side effect information about lithium. Some of the dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Lithonate.
What is the level of lithium that causes muscle weakness?
Muscular weakness develops early in lithium (the active ingredient contained in Lithonate) toxicity, and may occur at lithium levels below 2 mEq/L.
What are the symptoms of lithium toxicity?
Drowsiness and lack of coordination may be early signs of lithium (the active ingredient contained in Lithonate) toxicity, and may occur at lithium levels below 2 mEq/L. Ataxia and giddiness occurred at levels above 2 mEq/L. Fine hand tremor may occur during initial therapy for the acute manic phase, and may persist during therapy.
Is lithium toxicity related to serum levels?
Lithium toxicity is closely related to serum lithium levels, and can occur at doses close to therapeut ic levels. Facilities for prompt and accurate serum lithium determinations should be available before initiating therapy.
Does lithium cause side effects?
Side effects requiring immediate medical attention. Along with its needed effects, lithium (the active ingredient contained in Lithonate) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur ...
Can lithium cause vomiting?
Diarrhea and vomiting may be early signs of lithium ( the active ingredient contained in Lithonate) toxicity, and may occur at lithium levels below 2 mEq/L. Transient and mild nausea may occur within the first few days of therapy.
Is lithium toxic to humans?
Lithium ToxicityLithium toxicity is closely related to serum lithium levels, and can occur at doses close to therapeutic levels. Facilities for prompt and accurate serum lithium determinations should be available before initiating therapy.
