lithium for bipolar side effects
Lithium has been used for decades to treat bipolar disorder and manic episodes during manic depression. With the development of SSRIs (inhibitors Selective serotonin reuptake), it was thought that lithium would not be needed, such as SSRIs generally have less serious side effects than lithium. This does not happened, as many of the therapies to treat depression and bipolar mood swings involving SSRIs are augmented with lithium.
How the work of lithium with an SSRI?
Lithium is one of the most common substances used in conjunction with SSRIs. The method by which lithium works found in the altered sodium transport in nerve and muscle cells. It is sodium, which plays an important role in excitability with recent manic, and to cope with manic depression and bipolar disorder.
The dose of lithium is widely used in maintenance therapy, reducing the intensity of manic episodes and, as a means of maintenance dose, to assist in the prevention of manic episodes and bipolar disorder symptoms. There are, however, the possibility of using an adverse interaction of lithium and an SSRI. Lithium may increase the effects of serotonin regulation of SSRIs than necessary, which can lead to serotonin syndrome, a potentially fatal disease.
Effects of lithium during treatment with SSRIs
Although lithium is a proven treatment in some personality disorders, which comes with side effects. These side effects are more common, and sometimes more severe than those of SSRIs, which was the inspiration for the development of SSRIs. Some of the side effects lithium are:
- Drowsiness
- Excessive thirst
- Fatigue
- Hand tremors
- Increased urination
- Nausea
- Thyroid problems
- Weakness
- Weight Gain
Interactions with lithium during treatment with SSRIs
There has been a cause for concern when increasing SSRI therapy with lithium. Lithium has been known to interact adversely with fluoxetine, an SSRI known for several popular brand names Prozac. Of the current SSRIs, citalopram (Celexa) had fewer complications due to interactions with other drugs and has not been shown with adverse effects in combination with lithium.
The most common complication and worrying because of interactions between SSRIs and lithium is the syndrome serotonin. Serotonin syndrome is just a greater amount of serotonin, which meets in the central nervous system. The excess serotonin is caused by stimulation overuse of drugs used to regulate serotonin levels in the body, like an SSRI. This can be caused simply by an overdose of an SSRI, or taking other substances, such as lithium, according to an SSRI.
Of course, you should never begin the use of either lithium or an SSRI supplement without understanding fully the health implications of either treatment. These are both powerful therapies that are used to regulate finicky substances that affect your mood and personality. Beginning this type of therapy should not entered into without heavy consideration and discussion with your doctor.
