Hair loss is also related to hypothyroidism, which can be induced by lithium and other agents. Alopecia might not be reported by some people, but physicians should be aware of this potential problem which may contribute to noncompliance. Lithium causes hair loss in 12-19% of long-term users.
Lithium may lead to an underactive thyroid, which can cause hair loss. Stress can also contribute to telogen effluvium, a process in which hair roots are prematurely driven into a resting state.
Hair loss may occur in 10% of patients treated with lithium. Reducing lithium levels to 0.75 mEq/L and correcting thyroid disfunction may help to prevent hair loss. Consider supplementing with zinc and selenium to treat hair loss. Psoriasis can be initiated or worsened by lithium.
Fortunately, if hair loss does continue and a decision is made to stop lithium in the future, it is likely the hair will regrow.
The most common side effects of lithium are feeling or being sick, diarrhoea, a dry mouth and a metallic taste in the mouth. Your doctor will carry out regular blood tests to check how much lithium is in your blood. The results will be recorded in your lithium record book.
(3). It has long been known that lithium has toxic effects on the thyroid gland and the kidneys. The thyroid toxicity, caused primarily by lithium's interference with thyroid hormones' release from the gland (19) affects up to 19% of treated patients (20).
Studies have shown that the average lithium-induced weight gain is between 4.85 and 22 lbs. Also, keep in mind that different causes contribute to lithium-induced weight gain - we will discuss them in more detail below.
Patients receiving lithium who had noticed changes in hair texture since starting that drug, described variously as hair losing its curl or wave, have a greater lithium concentration in hair than patients on lithium with no such complaints.
Research shows that if you are taking lithium for bipolar disorder and you stop taking it suddenly (i.e. over the course of less than 14 days), then you have a 50% (one in two) chance of becoming ill again within six months and a 90% (nine in ten) chance of becoming unwell again within three years.
Untreated cases of lithium toxicity can also lead to permanent complications, such as brain damage, kidney damage, and serotonin syndrome.
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.
Lithium is not recommended in patients with renal impairment. It is also not recommended in patients with cardiovascular disease. Lithium causes reversible T wave changes and can unmask Brugada syndrome. A cardiology consult is necessary if a patient experiences unexplained palpitations and syncope.
► 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.
Acne. Acne is a common inflammatory skin disease characterised by comedones (blocked hair follicles). It is the most common adverse effect of lithium. It usually appears several weeks after starting the drug.
People taking lithium should avoid drinking alcohol. Not only can alcohol worsen bipolar disorder symptoms, but it can also intensify side effects caused by lithium, including dizziness and drowsiness. Additionally, taking lithium while drinking may make the medication less effective, leading to more mood swings.
With long-term use, lithium can cause chronic tubulo-interstitial nephritis, which is characterized by a decrease in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and may lead to chronic kidney disease (lithium nephropathy) (97, 98).
Lithium – When abruptly discontinued, people who have been taking lithium to stabilize moods may experience mood instability and a relapse of mania.
Hair loss usually becomes clinically detectable a few months after starting the medication and is a transient, revers- ible phenomenon. The established mood stabilizers, including lith- ium, valproic acid or divalproex, and carbamazepine, are potential causes of hair loss, each with their own severity and frequency.
Similarly, lithium itself can have what's known as a "paradoxical" reaction where it actually creates more anxiety and depression, which is another important reason not to use lithium without talking to your doctor. Lithium can take weeks to reach its full effectiveness.
Types of skin reactions associated with lithium include acne conglobata, hidradenitis suppurativa, folliculitis, alopecia, thinning of hair, macular/maculopapular rashes, and diffuse, erythematous, pruritic, maculopapular eruption.
Approximately 25% of people gain weight from taking lithium, according to a review article published in Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica. 1 After analyzing all relevant published medical studies, the authors reported an average weight gain of 10 to 26 pounds among those who experience this troubling side effect.
Lithium can cause weight gain
While Topiramate helps with weight loss, its mood stabilizing effect is no better than placebo. Lithium causes weight gain, and it is a good mood stabilizer.
Controlled carbohydrate cravings and a low-calorie diet can help manage your body weight when on lithium. According to the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, a drug called topiramate helps bipolar patients on lithium lose weight.
Lamotrigine (Lamictal) for Bipolar Disorder
It was the first FDA-approved therapy since lithium for maintenance in bipolar disorder. Lamictal is considered a mood-stabilizing anticonvulsant and is most commonly prescribed to prevent or control seizures in the treatment of epilepsy.
Lurasidone (Latuda) and Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
But lamotrigine is the better tolerated option, with few of the adverse effects that matter most to patients: weight gain, fatigue, sexual dysfunction, and long-term medical risks.