Today, lithium is quite common in drugs. What is the reason for this? Studies have shown that lithium salt-based medications can help deal effectively with mental disorders. These kinds of drugs are currently a huge variety. This allows you to make an informed choice and, using the advice of competent specialists, select the appropriate drug that will have a positive effect on the patient's condition. How do lithium preparations work? How safe are they? Who would be appropriate to appoint them? What kind of drugs belong to this group of drugs? We will consider this information in more detail in this article.
Lithium salts
Drugs that include this kind of substance are currently considered the best way to stop a variety of manic and hypomanic phenomena in the patient’s mental state. Equally effective as a prophylaxis for bipolar disorder.
Lithium preparations last a little longer than many effective antipsychotics. In particular, those prescribed for injection. But it is precisely such salts (lithium preparations) that experts consider the most preferable for correcting the condition with the so-called pure mania.
Such medicines have only one significant drawback. Some of them (in particular, lithium carbonate - the most common tool in this group) are not available in the form of a solution for injection.
The use of lithium in psychiatry
For the first time such means in this field of medicine were used about forty years ago. In psychiatry, lithium preparations are used to significantly alleviate the symptoms of a manic-depressive state (it is a mental disorder characterized by abrupt transitions from absolute despair to uncontrolled ecstasy; it is also known in medicine as bipolar disorder). Although, of course, the substance in question cannot cure the disease in full, it will help smooth out its extreme manifestations.
It is also important to note that each drug containing lithium effectively normalizes mood, and corrects the emotional state of depression.
Side effects
Provided that lithium preparations are taken for a long time and with an increased content of the substance in question in the blood, unpleasant side effects can occur. Among them are a feeling of constant fatigue, weakness, temporary hand tremor, dizziness, dysuric effects, decreased accommodation, dyspeptic symptoms. These side effects do not require additional treatment and pass on their own for a certain time.
More complex conditions require immediate medical attention and conservative treatment. If they appear, you should immediately seek advice from your doctor.
Overdose
The main manifestation in excess of the permissible dose of the drugs of this group is poisoning with lithium preparations. How to recognize him? In acute poisoning, at the first stage, various symptoms of disturbances in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and, as a result, dehydration, are manifested. Later, various neurological disorders and malfunctions of the cardiovascular system develop. At the first suspicions of poisoning with lithium preparations, you should immediately contact a specialist who will help to correctly diagnose the situation and prescribe effective treatment.
Pregnancy
Is it possible for a woman in a position to use drugs that include lithium? A drug based on the substance in question can become dangerous for the developing fetus. For example, such medications provoke the development of heart defects in a child. If, however, preparations containing lithium are indicated for use by a pregnant woman, then it is important to constantly be under the supervision of a physician who can monitor the concentration of this substance in plasma. If this is not done, then the infant may be diagnosed with hypotension or goiter.
Next, some lithium preparations will be considered, the names of which you can find in pharmacies and prescribing physicians.
Quilonum
The main component of the drug is lithium carbonate. This drug is available in the form of capsules or tablets, which are coated with a specialized shell.
Quilonum tablets are lithium preparations, the action of which is aimed at stopping manic states of various origins, schizoaffective psychoses, migraines, sexual disorders, alcoholism, manic-depressive psychosis, as well as various drug dependencies.
There are some conditions that prevent patients from taking the medication in question. Among them: infections, renal failure, hypersensitivity to any components of the drug, leukemia, psoriasis, breastfeeding, urinary retention, thyrotoxicosis, diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, intraventricular blockade, parkinsonism, the period of gestation, rehabilitation after surgery.
With prolonged use of the drug, certain adverse reactions may occur, for example, hand tremors, nausea, loss of appetite, muscle weakness, diarrhea, dizziness, cramps, hypothyroidism, adynamia, myasthenia gravis, impaired coordination, drowsiness, and increased thirst.
Kontemnol
The drug is a prolonged action. Available in glass bottles.
The medication is perfectly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, and its maximum concentration in the blood is reached after nine hours.
The drug must be taken for at least six months as prescribed by the doctor. It is recommended to take in the following cases: sexual deviations, Meniere's syndrome, migraine, quarter drinking, drug dependence, seasonal aggressiveness of psychopaths.
You should not use the product if you suffer from impaired water-electrolyte balance or diseases of the kidneys and cardiovascular system.
It is forbidden to take the medication in question during pregnancy.
"Lithium carbonate"
The drug can be purchased in the form of tablets in a specialized shell.
Use it rationally for functional mental disorders, epilepsy, emotional disturbances, chronic alcoholism, and depressive states. Sometimes experts prescribe this medication for preventive purposes. It is also appropriate to take with psychoses, which are accompanied by fear, anxiety, bitterness, with chronic alcoholism in individuals who are characterized by a hysterical personality, excessive sensitivity and sharp fluctuations in mood. Effectively helps to avoid relapse in traumatic conditions.
Take from nine tenths of a gram to two grams, depending on the doctor's recommendations. If the condition is not very serious, the dose is usually reduced to six tenths of a gram.
Use the drug is recommended only after a meal. During the treatment period, the amount of table salt in food should be limited.
Do not take the drug if you suffer from disorders of the thyroid gland, cardiovascular disease, impaired renal function.
The medication in question can be combined with any other antidepressants and antipsychotics.
Litosan-SR
The main active agent is lithium carbonate.
It is forbidden to take the drug for diseases of the cardiovascular system, infections, diseases of the central nervous system, pregnancy, individual intolerance to the individual components of the drug, urinary retention, impaired water-electrolyte balance, psoriasis, thyrotoxicosis, diabetes mellitus, renal failure, during breastfeeding.
It is important at the beginning of therapy to monitor the concentration of lithium in the blood weekly. Later, this can be done once a month, and then once every two to three months. Blood for analysis must be taken early in the morning twelve hours after the last evening dose of the drug.
The drug affects the ability to think adequately and quickly respond, therefore it is not recommended to drive a car, engage in those activities that can pose a threat to health and life, requiring a high reaction rate.
Sedalite
The medicine is an antimanic agent with an antidepressant effect. Available in capsule or coated tablet form.
The main indications for using this medication are affective disorders and psychoses, as well as manic states. Also, it is appropriate to take with Meniere's syndrome, migraines, sexual disorders, drug addiction.
Possible side effects: adynamia, thirst, acne, nausea, diarrhea, myasthenia gravis, vomiting, leukocytosis, hand tremor, heart rhythm disturbances, arrhythmia, excess weight gain, alopecia, drowsiness, pyoderma, dysarthria, loss of appetite, polyuria, cramps, confusion .
Total
To alleviate the condition of patients who suffer from a variety of mental illnesses, accompanied by serious emotional disorders, possibly due to a number of drugs made using lithium salts. Such medicines, judging by the reviews of experts and real buyers, are incredibly effective and help stop conditions of varying severity. Treatment with the drugs of this group should be prescribed by a competent attending physician, who will be able to correctly formulate a therapy regimen and later, if necessary, adjust it. You should not decide on the use of lithium preparations on your own. In this case, mistakes can be made that adversely affect the patient's condition or provoke lithium poisoning, which sometimes leads to death. It is important to pay sufficient attention to the study of contraindications, possible side effects. This will help to avoid unpleasant surprises or be prepared for any negative reactions from the patient. Constant monitoring of the attending physician will guarantee the safe course of the prescribed therapy.
Never forget to take care of yourself. Make an effort to choose the best quality drug. Pay sufficient attention to the physical and mental well-being of your loved ones. Be always healthy!