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Lithex 400mg Tablet SR

Prescription Required
Storage
Store below 30°C

Product introduction

Lithex 400mg Tablet SR is used in the treatment of bipolar disorder and mania in adults. It is sometimes used to treat other behavioral disorders as well. It reduces the frequency of manic episodes and decreases the intensity of those episodes that might occur.

Lithex 400mg Tablet SR should be taken with food. However, it is advised to take it at the same time each day as this helps to maintain a consistent level of medicine in the body. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. If you have missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. You should continue to take this medicine for as long as the doctor advises and do not stop taking it suddenly as it may result in harmful effects.

Side effects associated with the use of this medicine include tremors, slurred speech, uncoordinated body movements, nausea, Vomiting, acne, increased white blood cell count, and memory impairment. It may also cause hair loss, enlarged thyroid gland, skin rash, and increased thirst. This medicine may also cause weight gain and to control it, you should have a balanced diet and exercise regularly. If you have been taking this medicine for a long time then regular monitoring of thyroid and kidney function may be required.


Uses of Lithex Tablet SR

Benefits of Lithex Tablet SR

In Mania

Mania means extremely excited or elevated mood. Lithex 400mg Tablet SR helps calm the mood and relax the nerves. This stabilises the mood and prevents the symptoms of mania from recurring again. Taking Lithex 400mg Tablet SR will ensure that you have a better social life and are able to do daily activities more comfortably.

In Bipolar disorder

Lithex 400mg Tablet SR works to restore the normal balance of nerve activity in your brain. It can help prevent extreme changes in mood and help you feel less agitated. You may experience fewer episodes of low mood. It can take several weeks for this medicine to work and you may still feel low during this time. It is likely that you will take this medicine for at least six months but possibly much longer. It needs to be taken regularly to work effectively. Do not stop taking it unless your doctor advises you to. You should continue to eat well and keep fit to reduce symptoms of bipolar disorder.

Side effects of Lithex Tablet SR

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Lithex

  • Tremors
  • Slurred speech
  • Uncoordinated body movements
  • Nausea
  • Acne
  • Increased white blood cell count
  • Memory impairment
  • Hair loss
  • Goiter (enlarged thyroid gland)
  • Skin rash
  • Increased thirst
  • Weight gain
  • Polyuria
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting

How to use Lithex Tablet SR

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Lithex 400mg Tablet SR is to be taken with food.

How Lithex Tablet SR works

Lithex 400mg Tablet SR works by suppressing the abnormal and excessive activity of the nerve cells in the brain.

Safety advice

Alcohol
UNSAFE
It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Lithex 400mg Tablet SR.
Pregnancy
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Lithex 400mg Tablet SR is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.
Breast feeding
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Lithex 400mg Tablet SR is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.
Driving
UNSAFE
Lithex 400mg Tablet SR may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive.
Kidney
CAUTION
Lithex 400mg Tablet SR should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Lithex 400mg Tablet SR may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Liver
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Lithex 400mg Tablet SR is probably safe to use in patients with liver disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Lithex 400mg Tablet SR may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.

What if you forget to take Lithex Tablet SR?

If you miss a dose of Lithex 400mg Tablet SR, skip it and continue with your normal schedule. Do not double the dose.

All substitutes

For informational purposes only. Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.
No substitutes found for this medicine

Quick tips

  • Lithex 400mg Tablet SR is one of the most effective long-term treatment for bipolar disorder.
  • It may also be used for the treatment of mania.
  • Your lithium blood levels, thyroid function, and kidney function may be monitored as long as you take this medicine.
  • It may cause diarrhea and dehydration. Drink plenty of water and and use normal amounts of salt. Inform your doctor if you start or stop a low-salt diet.
  • Monitor your weight during treatment as Lithex 400mg Tablet SR can cause weight gain.
  • Do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how it affects you.
  • Inform your doctor if you have persistent stomach upset, problems with your speech, or extreme drowsiness. Your dose may need to be adjusted.
  • Do not take Lithex 400mg Tablet SR if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • Do not stop taking the medication suddenly without talking to your doctor.

Fact Box

Chemical Class
Organic Carbonic Acids
Habit Forming
No
Therapeutic Class
NEURO CNS

Interaction with drugs

Taking Lithex with any of the following medicines can modify the effect of either of them and cause some undesirable side effects
Brand(s): Art-X, Cardasol, Amione
Life-threatening
Brand(s): SIB Trim, Deobese, Sibunet
Life-threatening
Brand(s): Acetazide, Actazid, AZ Mide
Serious
Brand(s): Stozen
Serious

Patient concerns

arrow
I an suffering from mania what should i do.
Dr. Jyoti Kapoor Madan
Psychiatry
Mania is a component of Bipolar Affective Disorder. Bipolar Affective Disorder is a chronic problem caused by Neuro chemical disturbance in brain. It is characterised by excessive mood swings leading to disruption in routine life. Treatment is with mood stabilizer medicines and antipsychotic medicines which may need to continue throughout life. Please see a psychiatrist for further guidance.
Suffering from Depression and Mania, what should be done
Dr. Jyoti Kapoor Madan
Psychiatry
Bipolar Affective Disorder is a chronic problem caused by Neuro chemical disturbance in brain. It is characterised by excessive mood swings leading to disruption in routine life. Treatment is with mood stabilizer medicines and antipsychotic medicines which may need to continue throughout life. Please see a psychiatrist for further guidance.
arrow

User feedback


FAQs

Q. How quickly does Lithex 400mg Tablet SR work?

It takes some time before you see improvement in your symptoms after taking Lithex 400mg Tablet SR. Though it varies from person to person, it may take 1-3 weeks or longer for you to see the full benefits of Lithex 400mg Tablet SR. Do not stop taking Lithex 400mg Tablet SR if you feel you are not improving. Instead, discuss it with your doctor.

Q. Does Lithex 400mg Tablet SR make you sleepy?

Yes, Lithex 400mg Tablet SR can cause nervous system disorders like sleepiness and dizziness and feeling confused. It can also cause rapid eye movements, blurred vision, or blind spots in your eyesight. If you experience any of these symptoms, consult your doctor. In addition, avoid driving or operating heavy machinery as it can be hazardous for you.

Q. Is Lithex 400mg Tablet SR bad for kidneys?

Yes, Lithex 400mg Tablet SR may cause kidney problems. Lithex 400mg Tablet SR is not prescribed in patients who already have severe kidney impairment. The kidney problems may not be reversible and the symptoms include swollen ankles, passing a lot of urine and feeling thirsty. Before starting treatment with Lithex 400mg Tablet SR, your doctor will get blood tests done to see if your kidney function is normal. During Lithex 400mg Tablet SR therapy, any gradual or sudden changes in renal function, even within the normal range, may indicate the need for re-evaluation of treatment.

Q. Can Lithex 400mg Tablet SR cause gain in weight?

Lithex 400mg Tablet SR can cause both weight gain or weight loss. You should keep a check on your weight during Lithex 400mg Tablet SR therapy. If you feel you are gaining or losing too much weight, consult your doctor who will assess whether the change in weight is due to Lithex 400mg Tablet SR or some other reason.

Q. What is the most important information I should know about Lithex 400mg Tablet SR?

Lithex 400mg Tablet SR therapy should only be started if adequate facilities for assessing Lithex 400mg Tablet SR levels are available. This is because Lithex 400mg Tablet SR toxicity is related to increased levels of Lithex 400mg Tablet SR in blood. Lithex 400mg Tablet SR toxicity can even occur at dose which is effective for treatment. Therefore, your doctor may closely monitor your Lithex 400mg Tablet SR levels weekly until stabilization is achieved, then weekly for one month and then at monthly intervals thereafter.

Q. How should Lithex 400mg Tablet SR be taken?

Take Lithex 400mg Tablet SR exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Check with your doctor if you are not sure. It is meant for oral administration and can be taken with or without food. However, if you start following a certain type of diet, talk to your doctor first. Any drastic changes in the amount of water you drink or amount of sodium (salt) in your diet may require more frequent monitoring of Lithex 400mg Tablet SR levels.

Q. Which medicines decrease Lithex 400mg Tablet SR levels?

You should inform your doctor about the medicines you are taking before starting Lithex 400mg Tablet SR since many medicines interfere with the working of Lithex 400mg Tablet SR. Some medicines decrease the levels of Lithex 400mg Tablet SR in blood which means that it will not work well. These include theophylline (for asthma), caffeine, anything containing sodium bicarbonate, or a special group of diuretics (water tablets) called carbonic anhydrase inhibitors and urea used to treat skin conditions.

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Disclaimer:

Tata 1mg's sole intention is to ensure that its consumers get information that is expert-reviewed, accurate and trustworthy. However, the information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of a qualified physician. The information provided here is for informational purposes only. This may not cover everything about particular health conditions, lab tests, medicines, all possible side effects, drug interactions, warnings, alerts, etc. Please consult your doctor and discuss all your queries related to any disease or medicine. We intend to support, not replace, the doctor-patient relationship.

References

  1. Stahl SM, editor. Lithium. In: Stahl's Essential Pschopharmacology: Prescriber's Guide. 5th ed. New York, New York: Cambridge University Press; 2014. pp. 349-54.
  2. Meltzer H. Antipsychotic Agents & Lithium. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. pp. 502-504.
  3. Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006. Lithium. [Updated 2020 Jan 20]. [Accessed 20 Feb. 2020] (online) Available from:External Link
  4. Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). [Accessed 25 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from:External Link
  5. Lithium Carbonate [Patient Information Leaflet]. Ahmedabad, Gujarat: Torrent Pharmaceuticals :Ltd.; 2022. [Accessed 20 Feb. 2024] (online) Available from: External Link

Marketer details

Name: Shine Pharmaceuticals Ltd
Address: 308-310 Dwarkesh Complex, Sun Pharma Road, Po:Atladra, Vadodara-390 012., Gujarat, India.
Country of origin: India

52.5
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MRP54.1  3% OFF
10.0 tablet sr in 1 strip
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