Lithium (Oral Route)

Free

E-newsletter

Subscribe to Housecall

Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine 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:

• Confusion, poor memory, or lack of awareness
• Fainting
• Fast or slow heartbeat
• Frequent urination
• Increased thirst
• Irregular pulse
• Stiffness of the arms or legs
• Troubled breathing (especially during hard work or exercise)
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Weight gain

• Blue color and pain in the fingers and toes
• Coldness of the arms and legs
• Dizziness
• Eye pain
• Headache
• Noise in the ears
• Vision problems

• Dry, rough skin
• Fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
• Hair loss
• Hoarseness
• Lightheadedness
• Mental depression
• Sensitivity to cold
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling of the feet or lower legs
• Swelling of the neck
• Unusual excitement

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

• Blurred vision
• Clumsiness or unsteadiness
• Convulsions (seizures)
• Diarrhea
• Drowsiness
• Increase in the amount of urine
• Lack of coordination
• Loss of appetite
• Muscle weakness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Ringing in the ears
• Slurred speech
• Trembling (severe)

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

• Acne or skin rash
• Bloated feeling or pressure in the stomach
• Muscle twitching (slight)

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Copyright © 2013 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.