What foods interact with lithium?

Foods that alkalinize the urine may increase elimination of lithium from the body, potentially decreasing the actions of the drug. Urine-alkalinizing foods include dairy products, nuts, fruits, vegetables (except corn and lentils), and others.

What should you avoid while taking lithium?

Avoid drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs while you are taking lithium. They may decrease the benefits (e.g., worsen your condition) and increase adverse effects (e.g., sedation) of the medication. Avoid low sodium diets and dehydration because this can increase the risk of lithium toxicity.

What foods can increase lithium levels?

Lithium in Food Products

The main sources of Li in the diet are cereals, potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage, and some mineral waters [44]. It may also be found in some spices such as nutmeg, coriander seeds, or cumin; however, their share in the total supply of this element is negligible in many geographic regions [49].

What blocks lithium absorption?

Amiloride is recommended as a diuretic because it blocks entry of lithium through the epithelial sodium channel in the collecting duct. This reduces lithium accumulation and may improve kidney function in patients on long-term treatment.

What herbs interact with lithium drug?

A recent case report suggests that herbal diuretics can also lead to increased lithium levels. 1 Certain herbs are thought to act as diuretics, including buchu , celery seed, cleavers , corn silk, couchgrass, dandelion , goldenrod , gravel root, horsetail , juniper , parsley , rosemary and wild carrot.

Lithium: Adverse Effects and Interactions – Pharmacology | Lecturio Nursing

Does vitamin D interact with lithium?

Interactions between your drugs

No interactions were found between lithium and Vitamin D3.

Does food affect lithium absorption?

Lithium was completely absorbed when given after food, but when given on an empty stomach the absorption was lower in some subjects, apparently due to rapid gastrointestinal passage in connection with diarrhoea. Lithium should therefore preferably be administered after meals.

What triggers lithium toxicity?

Lithium is a prescription medicine used to treat bipolar disorder. This article focuses on lithium overdose, or toxicity. Acute toxicity occurs when you swallow too much of a lithium prescription at one time. Chronic toxicity occurs when you slowly take a little too much of a lithium prescription every day for a while.

Does caffeine lower lithium levels?

Heavy caffeine consumption can affect the blood levels of lithium, a mood stabilizer that doctors commonly use to treat bipolar disorder. The body excretes lithium in the urine. As caffeine is a diuretic, it may lower the levels of lithium in the body by increasing the urine output.

What foods to avoid when taking lithium carbonate?

It is advisable to limit your caffeine intake (including teas, coffees, colas and non-prescription or herbal medicines containing caffeine) while taking Lithium. Report any changes in mood or emotions to your health care provider. Notes for Professionals: Caffeine appears to reduce serum lithium concentrations.

What organs can lithium damage?

The three organ systems that may be negatively affected by lithium are the thyroid gland, kidneys and parathyroid glands.

Should you avoid potassium with lithium?

Loss of intracellular potassium may contribute to lithium-induced electrocardiographic ST-T wave changes. Little work has been done in humans to evaluate the potential benefit of potassium supplementation. Conclusion: Hypokalemia should be avoided or corrected in patients taking lithium.

What are the dangers of lithium?

► Exposure to Lithium can cause loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. ► Lithium can cause headache, muscle weakness, twitching, blurred vision, loss of coordination, tremors, confusion, seizures and coma.

What are 3 of the common early signs of lithium toxicity?

Symptoms of lithium toxicity include severe nausea and vomiting, severe hand tremors, confusion, and vision changes. If you experience these, you should seek immediate medical attention to check your lithium levels.

Does lithium damage the brain?

Prolonged lithium intoxication >2 mM can cause permanent brain damage. Lithium has low mutagenic and carcinogenic risk.

Why do people quit lithium?

Lithium Side Effects

Other common reasons for discontinuing the medication due to side effects, according to a study published in the International Journal of Bipolar Disorders¹¹ include weight gain, cognitive impairment, impaired kidney function, hyperthyroidism, and hypothyroidism.

What foods should bipolar avoid?

How do you protect your kidneys from lithium?

Can B12 affect lithium?

How Do Lithium and B12 Work Together? Vitamin B12 requires lithium to work its best. You can think of lithium like a taxi that transports B12 into our cells. Lithium attaches to the B12 and moves it into our cells where it can be useful.

Does zinc interact with lithium?

Zinc co-administration with lithium significantly improved the short-term memory and cognitive functions of the animals.

What is the best vitamin for bipolar?

B vitamins are often used to treat mood

Anxiety disorder often accompanies bipolar disorder. Vitamin B1 can help ease anxiety and irritability for some adults, according to a 2021 study .

What vitamins should I take with lithium?

What electrolytes affect lithium?

Lithium being a monovalent cation competes with cation such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium and can cause electrolyte disturbances.