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Litharo®

Patient Details

Litharo®

Generic Name: Lithium Carbonate
Dosage Form: Scored tablets, 300 mg
Drug Class: Mood stabilizer
Indications: Used for treating acute manic and hypomanic episodes in patients with bipolar disorder and depression.

Litharo®

Litharo® (Lithium Carbonate) is a mood stabilizer that helps stabilize mood by affecting neural signaling and the function of neurotransmitters, including serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.

Indications for Litharo®

  • Acute mania, acute episodes with mixed features, acute hypomania, acute bipolar major depression in patients over 7 years
  • Maintenance treatment to reduce manic and depressive episodes in patients with bipolar disorder aged over 7 years
  • Unipolar major depressive disorder
  • Postpartum mood disorders
  • Prevention of cluster headaches

Dosage Forms of Litharo®

  • Scored tablets: 300 mg

How to Use and Dosage of Litharo®

  • Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure about the correct way to take it.
  • Take with a full glass of water and with food to reduce gastrointestinal side effects. Do not crush or chew the tablets.
  • Maintain adequate intake of salt and fluids.

Missed Dose of Litharo®

  • Take the missed dose as soon as you remember.
  • If it is close to the next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose.
  • Do not double the dose.

Overdose of Litharo®

  • Lithium toxicity can occur even at doses near the therapeutic range.
  • If any of the following symptoms occur, stop the medication and contact your doctor immediately:
    • Diarrhea and vomiting
    • Tremor, muscle coordination problems, lightheadedness, muscle weakness
    • Dizziness, unsteady gait, blurred speech, slurred speech
    • Muscle twitches, seizures

Monitoring Requirements During Treatment with Lithium Carbonate

Before starting and during treatment, your doctor may monitor:

  • Complete blood count (CBC)
  • Serum lithium levels
  • Signs of lithium toxicity
  • Kidney function
  • Calcium levels and hypercalcemia symptoms (weakness, fatigue, abdominal pain, constipation, etc.)
  • Electrolytes (sodium and potassium)
  • Thyroid hormone levels
  • Parathyroid hormone levels
  • Pregnancy tests
  • ECG (heart monitoring)
  • Fluid balance
  • Body weight
  • Signs of excessive thirst or increased urination

Contraindications for Lithium Carbonate

  • Hypersensitivity to lithium or any component of the formulation
  • Severe cardiovascular disease
  • Kidney disease
  • Debilitated patients
  • Dehydration
  • Low serum sodium
  • Concurrent use of diuretics
  • Brain injury

Warnings and Precautions for Lithium Carbonate

  • Lithium may reduce sodium levels; maintain a diet with adequate salt and drink 2.5–3 liters of water daily.
  • Seek medical advice immediately if you experience blurred vision, double vision, severe headache, pressure behind the eyes, tinnitus, or sudden vision changes.
  • Report any changes in consciousness (restlessness, hallucinations, delirium), palpitations, unstable blood pressure, weakness, dizziness, sweating, hot flashes, or fever.
  • Contact your doctor if you experience muscle stiffness, tremor, twitching, loss of coordination, or seizures.
  • Inform your doctor of all medications you are taking to prevent drug interactions.
  • Patients with cardiovascular disease, myasthenia gravis, or a history of bariatric surgery should inform their doctor.
  • Lithium may cause drowsiness; avoid driving or operating machinery if affected.

Use of Lithium Carbonate During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

  • Lithium use during pregnancy and lactation must be under specialist supervision.
  • Consult your doctor if you plan to become pregnant. Avoid lithium during the first trimester to reduce the risk of congenital heart defects.
  • If treated with lithium for bipolar disorder during pregnancy, use the lowest effective dose and monitor serum levels regularly.
  • If treated for depression during pregnancy, consult your doctor regarding potential medication adjustments.
  • Lithium should be discontinued 48–72 hours before delivery.
  • Lithium is excreted in breast milk; some infants may show signs of lithium toxicity. If this occurs, breastfeeding should be stopped immediately and a doctor consulted.

Side Effects of Lithium Carbonate

Possible side effects (not everyone experiences these):

  • Excessive thirst or increased urination
  • Low blood sodium
  • Dizziness, tremor, impaired coordination, drowsiness, fatigue, headache, weakness
  • Cardiac arrhythmias (slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat)
  • Skin problems: hair loss, acne, itching, worsening psoriasis
  • Digestive issues: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, indigestion, increased salivation, taste changes
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism
  • Hypercalcemia and hyperparathyroidism
  • Weight gain

Drug Interactions with Lithium Carbonate

Consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking lithium with other medications or supplements.

Packaging of Litharo®

  • Each package contains 100 scored tablets (10 blister packs of 10 tablets).

Storage Conditions for Litharo®

  • Store below 30°C, away from light and moisture.
  • Keep out of reach of children.
  • Use before the expiration month on the package.
  • Keep in the original packaging until use.

References

  1. Lithium: Drug Information, UpToDate 2025
  2. Medicines.org.uk – Lithium

 

Litharo®
Prescribing Information