ng urinary lithium excretion: acetazolamide, urea, xanthine preparations, and alkalinizing agents such as sodium bicarbonate. concomitant extended use of iodide preparations, especially potassium iodide, with lithium may produce hypothyroidism. concurrent use of calcium channel blocking agents with lithium may increase the risk of neurotoxicity in the form of ataxia, tremors, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and/or tinnitus. concurrent use of metronidazole with lithium may provoke lithium toxicity due to reduced renal clearance. patients receiving such combined therapy should be monitored closely. concurrent use of fluoxetine with lithium has resulted in both increased and decreased serum lithium concentrations. patients receiving such combined therapy should be monitored closely. nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nsaids): lithium levels should be closely monitored when patients initiate or discontinue nsaid use. in some cases, lithium toxicity has resulted from interactions between an nsaid and lithium. indomethacin and piroxicam have been reported to increase significantly steady-state plasma lithium concentrations. there is also evidence that other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, including the selective cyclooxygenase-2 (cox-2) inhibitors, have the same effect. in a study conducted in healthy subjects, mean steady-state lithium plasma levels increased approximately 17% in subjects receiving lithium 450 mg bid with celecoxib 200 mg bid as compared to subjects receiving lithium alone. concomitant use of lithium with a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (sglt2) inhibitor may decrease serum lithium concentrations. monitor serum lithium concentration more frequently during sglt2 inhibitor initiation and dosage changes. lithium may impair mental and/or physical abilities. patients should be cautioned about activities requiring alertness (e.g., operating vehicles or machinery).

lve electrocardiographic changes, such as prolonged qt interval, st and t-wave changes and myocarditis. renal manifestations include urine concentrating defect, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, and renal failure. respiratory manifestations include dyspnea, aspiration pneumonia, and respiratory failure. gastrointestinal manifestations include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and bloating. no specific antidote for lithium poisoning is known (see overdosage ). the risk of lithium toxicity is increased by: • recent onset of concurrent febrile illness • concomitant administration of drugs which increase lithium serum concentrations by pharmacokinetic interactions or drugs affecting kidney function (see precautions-drug interactions ) • acute ingestion • impaired renal function • volume depletion or dehydration • significant cardiovascular disease • changes in electrolyte concentrations (especially sodium and potassium) monitor for signs and symptoms of lithium toxicity. if symptoms occur, decrease dosage or discontinue lithium treatment. unmasking of brugada syndrome there have been postmarketing reports of a possible association between treatment with lithium and the unmasking of brugada syndrome. brugada syndrome is a disorder characterized by abnormal electrocardiographic (ecg) findings and a risk of sudden death. lithium should generally be avoided in patients with brugada syndrome or those suspected of having brugada syndrome. consultation with a cardiologist is recommended if: (1) treatment with lithium is under consideration for patients suspected of having brugada syndrome or patients who have risk factors for brugada syndrome, e.g., unexplained syncope, a family history of brugada syndrome, or a family history of sudden unexplained death before the age of 45 years, (2) patients who develop unexplained syncope or palpitations after starting lithium therapy. psuedotumor cerebri cases of pseudotumor cerebri (increased intracranial pressure and papilledema) have been reported with lithium use. if undetected, this condition may result in enlargement of the blind spot, constriction of visual fields, and eventual blindness due to optic atrophy. lithium should be discontinued, if clinically possible, if this syndrome occurs. renal effects chronic lithium therapy may be associated with diminution of renal concentrating ability, occasionally presenting as nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, with polyuria and polydipsia. such patients should be carefully managed to avoid dehydration with resulting lithium retention and toxicity. this condition is usually reversible when lithium is discontinued. post marketing cases consistent with nephrotic syndrome have been reported with the use of lithium. biopsy findings in patients with nephrotic syndrome include minimal change disease and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. discontinuation of lithium in patients with nephrotic syndrome has resulted in remission of nephrotic syndrome. morphologic changes with glomerular and interstitial fibrosis and nephron atrophy have been reported in patients on chronic lithium therapy. morphologic changes have also been seen in manic-depressive patients never exposed to lithium. the relationship between renal function and morphologic changes and their association with lithium therapy have not been established. kidney function should be assessed prior to and during lithium therapy. routine urinalysis and other tests may be used to evaluate tubular function (e.g., urine specific gravity or osmolality following a period of water deprivation, or 24-hour urine volume) and glomerular function (e.g., serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, or proteinuria). during lithium therapy, progressive or sudden changes in renal function, even within the normal range, indicate the need for re-evaluation of treatment. encephalopathic syndrome an encephalopathic syndrome (characterized by weakness, lethargy, fever, tremulousness and confusion, extrapyramidal symptoms, leukocytosis, elevated serum enzymes, bun, and fbs) has occurred in a few patients treated with lithium plus a neuroleptic, most notably haloperidol. in some instances, the syndrome was followed by irreversible brain damage. because of possible causal relationship between these events and the concomitant administration of lithium and neuroleptic drugs, patients receiving such combined therapy or patients with organic brain syndrome or other cns impairment should be monitored closely for early evidence of neurologic toxicity and treatment discontinued promptly if such signs appear. this encephalopathic syndrome may be similar to or the same as neuroleptic malignant syndrome (nms). serotonin syndrome lithium can precipitate serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition. the risk is increased with concomitant use of other serotonergic drugs (including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, fentanyl, tramadol, tryptophan, buspirone, and st. john’s wort) and with drugs that impair metabolism of serotonin, i.e., maois (see precautions ). serotonin syndrome signs and symptoms may include mental status changes (e.g., agitation, hallucinations, delirium, and coma), autonomic instability (e.g., tachycardia, labile blood pressure, dizziness, diaphoresis, flushing, hyperthermia), neuromuscular symptoms (e.g., tremor, rigidity, myoclonus, hyperreflexia, incoordination), seizures, and gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea). monitor all patients taking lithium for the emergence of serotonin syndrome. discontinue treatment with lithium and any concomitant serotonergic agents immediately if the above symptoms occur and initiate supportive symptomatic treatment. if concomitant use of lithium with other serotonergic drugs is clinically warranted, inform patients of the increased risk for serotonin syndrome and monitor for symptoms. concomitant use with neuromuscular blocking agents lithium may prolong the effects of neuromuscular blocking agents. therefore, neuromuscular blocking agents should be given with caution to patients receiving lithium. usage in pregnancy adverse effects on nidation in rats, embryo viability in mice, and metabolism in vitro of rat testis and human spermatozoa have been attributed to lithium, as have teratogenicity in submammalian species and cleft palate in mice. in humans, lithium may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. data from lithium birth registries suggest an increase in cardiac and other anomalies, especially ebstein's anomaly. if this drug is used in women of childbearing potential, or during pregnancy, or if a patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised by their physician of the potential hazard to the fetus. usage in nursing mothers lithium is excreted in human milk. nursing should not be undertaken during lithium therapy except in rare and unusual circumstances where, in the view of the physician, the potential benefits to the mother outweigh possible hazard to the infant or neonate. signs and symptoms of lithium toxicity such as hypertonia, hypothermia, cyanosis, and ecg changes have been reported in some infants and neonates. pediatric use safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients under 12 years of age have not been determined; its use in these patients is not recommended. there has been a report of transient syndrome of acute dystonia and hyperreflexia occurring in a 15 kg pediatric patient who ingested 300 mg of lithium carbonate.

ng dosages will maintain this concentration: 1 can be administered on tid recommended dosing interval up to 1200 mg/day. long-term control morning afternoon nighttime lithium carbonate extended-release tablets 1 2 tabs (600 mg) 2 tabs (600 mg) serum lithium concentrations in uncomplicated cases receiving maintenance therapy during remission should be monitored at least every two months. patients abnormally sensitive to lithium may exhibit toxic signs at serum concentrations of 1.0 to 1.5 meq/l. geriatric patients often respond to reduced dosage, and may exhibit signs of toxicity at serum concentrations ordinarily tolerated by other patients. in general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy. important considerations • blood samples for serum lithium determinations should be drawn immediately prior to the next dose when lithium concentrations are relatively stable (i.e., 8 to 12 hours after previous dose). total reliance must not be placed on serum concentrations alone. accurate patient evaluation requires both clinical and laboratory analysis. • lithium carbonate extended-release tablets must be swallowed whole and never chewed or crushed.

scular weakness, and lack of coordination may be early signs of lithium intoxication, and can occur at lithium concentrations below 2.0 meq/l. at higher concentrations, giddiness, ataxia, blurred vision, tinnitus, and a large output of dilute urine may be seen. serum lithium concentrations above 3.0 meq/l may produce a complex clinical picture involving multiple organs and organ systems. serum lithium concentrations should not be permitted to exceed 2.0 meq/l during the acute treatment phase. the following reactions have been reported and appear to be related to serum lithium concentrations, including concentrations within the therapeutic range: central nervous system: tremor, muscle hyperirritability (fasciculations, twitching, clonic movements of whole limbs), hypertonicity, ataxia, choreoathetotic movements, hyperactive deep tendon reflex, extrapyramidal symptoms including acute dystonia, cogwheel rigidity, blackout spells, epileptiform seizures, slurred speech, dizziness, vertigo, downbeat nystagmus, incontinence of urine or feces, somnolence, psychomotor retardation, restlessness, confusion, stupor, coma, tongue movements, tics, tinnitus, hallucinations, poor memory, slowed intellectual functioning, startled response, worsening of organic brain syndromes. cardiovascular: cardiac arrhythmia, hypotension, peripheral circulatory collapse, bradycardia, sinus node dysfunction with severe bradycardia (which may result in syncope), unmasking of brugada syndrome (see warnings and patient counseling information ). gastrointestinal: anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gastritis, salivary gland swelling, abdominal pain, excessive salivation, flatulence, indigestion. genitourinary: glycosuria, decreased creatinine clearance, albuminuria, oliguria, and symptoms of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus including polyuria, thirst and polydipsia. dermatologic: drying and thinning of hair, alopecia, anesthesia of skin, acne, chronic folliculitis, xerosis cutis, psoriasis or its exacerbation, generalized pruritus with or without rash, cutaneous ulcers, angioedema, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (dress). autonomic nervous system: blurred vision, dry mouth, impotence/sexual dysfunction. thyroid abnormalities: euthyroid goiter and/or hypothyroidism (including myxedema) accompanied by lower t3 and t4. 131 iodine uptake may be elevated (see precautions ). paradoxically, rare cases of hyperthyroidism have been reported. eeg changes: diffuse slowing, widening of frequency spectrum, potentiation and disorganization of background rhythm. ekg changes: reversible flattening, isoelectricity or inversion of t-waves. miscellaneous: fatigue, lethargy, transient scotomata, exophthalmos, dehydration, weight loss, leucocytosis, headache, transient hyperglycemia, hypercalcemia, hyperparathyroidism, albuminuria, excessive weight gain, edematous swelling of ankles or wrists, metallic taste, dysgeusia/taste distortion, salty taste, thirst, swollen lips, tightness in chest, swollen and/or painful joints, fever, polyarthralgia, and dental caries. some reports of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, hyperparathyroidism, and hypothyroidism which persist after lithium discontinuation have been received. a few reports have been received of the development of painful discoloration of fingers and toes and coldness of the extremities within one day of starting lithium treatment. the mechanism through which these symptoms (resembling raynaud's syndrome) developed is not known. recovery followed discontinuance.

ng urinary lithium excretion: acetazolamide, urea, xanthine preparations, and alkalinizing agents such as sodium bicarbonate. concomitant extended use of iodide preparations, especially potassium iodide, with lithium may produce hypothyroidism. concurrent use of calcium channel blocking agents with lithium may increase the risk of neurotoxicity in the form of ataxia, tremors, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and/or tinnitus. concurrent use of metronidazole with lithium may provoke lithium toxicity due to reduced renal clearance. patients receiving such combined therapy should be monitored closely. concurrent use of fluoxetine with lithium has resulted in both increased and decreased serum lithium concentrations. patients receiving such combined therapy should be monitored closely. nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nsaids): lithium levels should be closely monitored when patients initiate or discontinue nsaid use. in some cases, lithium toxicity has resulted from interactions between an nsaid and lithium. indomethacin and piroxicam have been reported to increase significantly steady-state plasma lithium concentrations. there is also evidence that other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, including the selective cyclooxygenase-2 (cox-2) inhibitors, have the same effect. in a study conducted in healthy subjects, mean steady-state lithium plasma levels increased approximately 17% in subjects receiving lithium 450 mg bid with celecoxib 200 mg bid as compared to subjects receiving lithium alone. concomitant use of lithium with a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (sglt2) inhibitor may decrease serum lithium concentrations. monitor serum lithium concentration more frequently during sglt2 inhibitor initiation and dosage changes. lithium may impair mental and/or physical abilities. patients should be cautioned about activities requiring alertness (e.g., operating vehicles or machinery).