Intalith CR 450mg

WHAT IS THIS MEDICATION FOR?

Intalith CR 450mg is an antimanic agent, prescribed for acute mania and bipolar disorder.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Lithium Carbonate works by decreasing abnormal activity in the brain.

HOW TO USE?

Take with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach. Drink lots of noncaffeine liquids unless told to drink less liquid by your doctor. Keep your salt use the same from day to day. Long-acting products: Swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush. There is a liquid (syrup) if you cannot swallow pills. Those who have feeding tubes may also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after this drug is given. Stop tube feeding before giving this drug and restart after giving.

SIDE EFFECTS:

Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, Blurred eyesight, or a change in thinking clearly. Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert or have clear eyesight until you see how this drug affects you. Shakiness. Headache. Upset stomach or throwing up. Passing urine often.

WHAT TO DO IF I MISS A DOSE?

Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it. If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time. Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

PRECAUTIONS:

If you have an allergy to lithium or any other part of this drug. Make sure to tell about the allergy and what signs you had including rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs. If you have any of these health problems: Fluid loss, very bad kidney disease, poor eating habits, or very bad heart disease. If you are pregnant or may be pregnant. If you are breast-feeding.

WHEN DO I NEED TO SEEK MEDICAL HELP?

If you think there was an overdose, call your local poison control center or ER right away. Signs of a very bad reaction to the drug include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue or gray skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Very bad dizziness. Big change in balance. Change in thinking clearly and with logic. Very upset stomach or throwing up. Too much sweat or fluid loss. Feeling very tired or weak. Any rash.

CAN I TAKE IT WITH OTHER MEDICINES?

Sometimes drugs are not safe when you take them with certain other drugs and food. Taking them together can cause bad side effects. Be sure to talk to your doctor about all the drugs you take.

FOOD RESTRICTIONS:

Avoid alcohol. Try to avoid drinks that contain caffeine, such as colas and coffee. These drinks cause you to pass urine more often. The loss of too much water from your body may increase the risk of side effects. Maintain a good fluid intake of about 2-3L everyday while being treated with Lithium, unless your doctor has specifically told you not to do so.

HOW TO STORE:

Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children. Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.

PREGNANCY CATEGORY:

Category D: There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks.

THERAPEUTIC CLASSIFICATION:

Antidepressants.