If your physician prescribes lithium for a mental health condition, consuming caffeine in any form may alter the desired effects. Lithium treats and prevents bipolar episodes, also called manic depression, within a limited therapeutic range. Informing your physician of any dietary habits, over-the-counter medications and prescribed medications that include caffeine can help the treatment of your disorder. Remember that the more caffeine you ingest, the more lithium you'll need, and vice-versa.
Bipolar Symptoms
Caffeine consumption while taking lithium lowers therapeutic levels, causing an increase in bipolar symptoms such as depression, irritability and anxiety. Caffeine needn't be eliminated entirely from your diet, but your physician needs to know the quantity consumed on a daily basis, according to Drugs.com. Your dose of lithium is central to alleviating bipolar symptoms, with caffeine as a consideration. Maintaining a consistent lithium blood level is the desired goal of your therapy.
Unstable Lithium Levels
Consuming caffeinated products reduces the action of lithium, increasing the amount lost in urine related to the diuretic effect of caffeine. The loss of lithium requires an increase in your dosage to a therapeutic range indicated by a blood level test. Unstable or fluctuating blood levels of lithium can be a result of sudden changes in caffeine consumption and periods of abstinence. Abrupt changes in caffeine intake can put you at risk for adverse reactions.
Toxicity
When your lithium dose is based on a specific daily quantity of caffeine and you suddenly quit consuming caffeine, the amount of lithium is now toxic for you, according to Primary Psychiatry. Notify your physician of any decrease or increase in caffeine intake so that dosing adjustments can be made to avoid dangerous side effects of toxicity. Toxic symptoms may include seizures, renal toxicity, irregular heartbeat, slow heart rate, confusion, and difficulty walking.
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