Facts on Lithium Side Effects

1. It's a Balancing Act

Taking the anti-depressant lithium is a balancing act in more ways than one. Lithium stabilizes moods in people with a bipolar disorder by preventing extremes of highs and lows known as mania and depression. The amount of lithium in the bloodstream has to be carefully balanced--too little won't control the bipolar symptoms and too much produces a tidal wave of awful side effects. When doctors prescribe lithium, they must closely monitor its side effects and the amount of lithium in the blood to reach the appropriate dosage for each individual.

2. Causes Dry Mouth and Shaky Hands

Lithium makes a person thirsty because it mimics salt in the body. When you're thirsty you drink more liquid and have frequent urination. The human body tends to retain more fluid, causing ankles and hands to swell and a bloated feeling in the abdomen. Lithium can cause an upset stomach when a person first starts using it. Sometimes taking a timed-release formula of lithium stops this side effect, but such prescriptions are expensive. If a person experiences shaky or trembling hands while taking lithium, a doctor can prescribe another drug to help control this bothersome symptom.

3. Heed Extreme Warning Signs

Occasionally people have very serious side effects from taking lithium. The drug can interfere with how the thyroid gland works, causing thyroid hormone levels to drop too low. This condition, called hypothyroidism, and its symptoms include weight gain, thinning hair and depression. Lithium can also weaken kidney function. Equally serious, but rarer lithium side effects include seizures, hallucinations, the loss of coordination and an irregular heart beat.

4. Dangerous Liaisons

Certain other medications can increase the amount of lithium in the blood, while others can decrease it. These medications interfere with the important balance of lithium. For this reason a person's doctor must know all of the medications he is on while taking lithium. Drugs such as medications for high blood pressure or fluid retention can make an individual urinate more and increase the amount of lithium in the blood. Anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen or Naproxen can decrease the amount of lithium in the blood. A variety of medications changes how lithium works in your body. By keeping this in mind, a person can be smarter about what other drugs they take during a prescribed course of lithium.

5. Frequent Phlebotomy Required

A person prescribed lithium must undergo regular blood tests to assess the level of lithium in the blood, and to monitor thyroid and kidney functions. Individuals taking lithium should consult with their doctor to see how often to have these tests conducted.