What are the side effects of lithium?
Common side effects of lithium include nausea, loss of appetite, and mild diarrhea. These usually will taper off after the first few weeks. Dizziness and hand tremors have also been reported, and tremors can be diminished effectively if the dosage of lithium is gradually decreased. Medications that control tremors are Cogentin and Inderal. With Inderal, however, there may be a lowering of the patient’s blood pressure and heart rate, and sudden discontinuation can cause anxiety and tremulousness. Increased production of urine and excessive thirst are two common side effects that are usually not serious problems, but patients with kidney disease should not be given lithium. Midamor is a drug that can reduce urinating. Taking the day’s dosage of lithium at bedtime also seems to help with the problem of increased urination. Other side effects of lithium include weight gain, hypothyroidism, increased white blood cell count, skin rashes, and birth defects. People who are taking lithium shoul
