DURALITH (Lithium)

Duralith Information

Duralith is a drug with the generic name known as lithium. It is used to reduce the frequency and severity of manic states. Duralith may also reduce the frequency and severity of depression in Bipolar Disorder.

Duralith Indications

Duralith is indicated for the treatment of the manic stage of Bipolar Disorder.

Duralith Warnings

Before taking Duralith, tell your doctor if you experience any of the following:

• Brain disease
• Schizophrenia
• Diabetes mellitus
• Difficulties in urination
• Fever
• Prolonged sweating
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Kidney disease
• Epilepsy
• Goiter
• Thyroid disease
• Heart disease
• Parkinson's disease
• Psoriasis
• Leukemia

You may or you may not be able to use Duralith or you may require special monitoring if you experience any of the above-listed disorders.

Duralith is not recommended to patients who are pregnant. Duralith may rarely cause any of the following to either the mother or the baby:

• thyroid problems
• heart or blood vessel defects
• muscle weakness
• severe drowsiness

Duralith is known to pass in the breast milk. Do not take Duralith if you are nursing an infant.

Use of Duralith in children may cause weakened bones during treatment.

Duralith Intake Guidelines

Take Duralith after a meal or snack to reduce stomach up set, tremors, or weakness and to prevent a laxative effect.

For patients taking the long-acting or slow-release form of Duralith:

The tablet or capsule should be swallowed whole. It should not be broken, crushed or chewed before swallowing.

For patients taking the syrup form of Duralith:

Before taking Duralith, dilute the syrup in fruit juice or another flavored beverage. Drink 2 or 3 quarts of water or other fluids each day, during treatment of Duralith and use a normal amount of salt in your food.

Duralith Dosage

Take Duralith exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

For short-acting oral dosage forms:

Adults and adolescents: 300 to 600 milligrams three times a day.

Children up to 12 years of age: 15 to 20 milligrams per kilogram of body weight two or three times during the day.

For long-acting oral dosage forms:

Adults and adolescents: 300 to 600 milligrams three times a day.

450 to 900 milligrams two times a day.

Duralith Overdose

Early symptoms of a Duralith overdose includes the following:

• Diarrhea
• Drowsiness
• Lack of coordination
• Loss of appetite
• Muscle weakness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Slurred speech
• Severe trembling

Late symptoms of a Duralith overdose includes:

• Blurred vision
• Clumsiness
• Unsteadiness
• Confusion
• Convulsions
• Dizziness
• Increase in amount of urine
• Ringing in the ears
• Severe trembling

Seek immediate medical attention if any of the symptoms listed above may occur.

Duralith Missed Dose

Take it as soon as you remember if you miss a dose of Duralith. Skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule if it is within 4 hours of your next dose. Do not take a double dose of Duralith.

Duralith Side Effects

Contact your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• Confusion
• Poor memory
• Lack of awareness
• Fainting
• Fast or slow heartbeat
• Frequent urination
• Irregular pulse
• Increased thirst
• Stiffness of arms or legs
• Difficulty in breathing
• Slurred speech
• Unusual tiredness
• Weakness
• Weight gain
• Blue color and pain in fingers and toes
• Coldness of arms and legs
• Dizziness
• Eye pain
• Headache
• Noises in the ears
• Vision problems
• Dry, rough skin
• Hair loss
• Hoarseness
• Mental depression
• Sensitivity to cold
• Swelling of feet or lower legs
• Swelling of neck
• Unusual excitement

Other side effects may occur that may not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue:

• Increased frequency of urination
• Increased thirst
• Nausea
• Acne
• skin rash
• Bloated feeling
• Pressure in the stomach
• Muscle twitching

Side effects other than those listed in this medication guide may also occur in some patients. Call your doctor if symptoms of a Duralith side effect occur.

Duralith Drug Reactions

Concurrent use of other medicines with Duralith may cause adverse reactions. Talk to your doctor before using Duralith if you are taking any of the following:

• Acetazolamide
• Antipsychotics
• Diuretics
• Inflammation or pain medicine
• Calcium iodide
• Iodinated glycerol
• Potassium iodide

Buy Duralith

Buy Duralith through our Online Pharmacy Escrow Service or at any Canada Pharmacy selling Online Prescriptions.