Lithium is prescribed by your healthcare provider based on current guidelines to address specific mental health conditions. While effective, all medications have potential side effects. It's crucial to be informed about these risks and benefits. It's also important to understand strategies to reduce their occurrence or manage them effectively. It's vital to know when to contact your healthcare provider or seek immediate medical attention. This guide aims to empower you with this knowledge, ensuring a well-informed approach to your child's treatment. If you are still unsure, always reach out to your healthcare provider for further guidance.

What is Lithum?

Lithium belongs to a class of medications known as mood stabilizers. It helps balance brain chemicals, alters neuronal sodium transport, reduces overactive signals, and protects brain cells to prevent extreme mood swings.

When is Lithium prescribed to Children & Adolescents? 

Your doctor may prescribe Lithium for

• Bipolar disorder
• Acute Mania
• Behavioral disturbances or Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (also known as DMDD)
• Added to antidepressants to augment their effectiveness for depression 
• Added to antipsychotic medication to augment their effectiveness for Postpartum Psychosis

What is the Dose of Lithium?

• The dose typically ranges from 300 to 1200 mg per day, divided into 2-3 doses.
• Treatment usually starts at a low dose, gradually increasing to find the effective dose.

What can be the possible

side-effects from the medication?

Serious but Rare Side-Effects

• Risk Factors: Combining Lithium with certain medications (like antidepressants), Certain over-the-counter agents and supplements such as Dextromethorphan (DXM), St. John's Wort, certain cough and cold medications, over-the-counter migraine medications, 5-HTP, and L-tryptophan
• Symptoms: Anxiety, agitation, confusion, sweating, rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, fever, stomach problems, tremors, muscle stiffness, spasms, and heightened reflexes. 
• Management: Consult your primary care provider or psychiatrist before starting any new prescription or over-the-counter medication. If you notice any of these symptoms mentioned above, immediately contact your provider or seek immediate help in the nearest ER. 

2. Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus

• Risk Factors: Long duration of treatment, higher doses, dehydration.
• Symptoms: The kidneys may lose their ability to retain water, leading to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, especially low sodium levels. This can cause excessive urination, excessive thirst, lethargy, and irritability.
• Management: Report these symptoms to your healthcare provider immediately. The medication will need to be discontinued.

3. Cardiac Effects

• Risk Factors: Higher doses, long-term use.
• Symptoms: Lithium can cause a low heart rate, irregular heartbeat, EKG changes, and conduction defects.
• Management: Your heart rate will be regularly monitored. Report any symptoms of irregular heartbeat or skipped heartbeat to your healthcare provider. The medication might need to be adjusted or switched.

4. Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

• Symptoms: Loss of bladder control, confusion, and difficulty walking,
• Management: If you notice these symptoms, stop lithium immediately and seek immediate medical attention in the nearest ER as dialysis to remove the medication from the body may be required

5. Increase Blood Calcium Levels

• Risk Factor: Long duration of treatment.
• Symptoms: Weakness, fatigue, development of kidney stones, and stomach issues.
• Management: Report these symptoms to your healthcare provider. The medication might need to be adjusted or switched.

WARNING

 

Pregnancy: If you become pregnant while taking lithium, there is a risk that your baby might have birth defects, especially heart problems. One possible heart defect is called Ebstein's anomaly, where a part of the heart is not formed correctly. It is very important to talk to your healthcare provider if you are planning to become pregnant or if you become pregnant while taking this medication.

Breastfeeding: It is recommended to avoid breastfeeding while using Lithium. Lithium is present in breast milk. If you breastfeed while taking lithium, your infant might show signs of lithium toxicity, including low muscle tone, low body temperature, bluish skin, electrocardiogram (EKG) changes, and lethargy.

To learn more about this medication please visit MedlinePlus, a official US government website, part of National Library of Medicine and managed by National Institute of Health by clicking HERE