Lithium causes hair loss in 12-19% of long-term users . Valproic acid and/ or divalproex precipitates alopecia in up to 12% of patients in a dose-dependent relationship. Incidences up to 28% are observed with high valproate concentration exposures. These pharmaceuticals also can change hair color and structure.
Will hair grow back after 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 .
Does lithium affect your hair?
Lithium causes hair loss in 12-19% of long-term users . Valproic acid and/ or divalproex precipitates alopecia in up to 12% of patients in a dose-dependent relationship. Incidences up to 28% are observed with high valproate concentration exposures. These pharmaceuticals also can change hair color and structure.
What is the downside of taking lithium?
Lithium can cause nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, change in heart rhythm, muscle weakness, fatigue, and a dazed feeling . These unwanted side effects often improve with continued use. Fine tremor, frequent urination, and thirst can occur and may persist with continued use.
What is the most concerning side effect of lithium?
Excessive urination
How fast do you gain weight on lithium?
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.
What does lithium do to a normal person?
Lithium helps reduce the severity and frequency of mania . It may also help relieve or prevent bipolar depression. Studies show that lithium can significantly reduce suicide risk. Lithium also helps prevent future manic and depressive episodes.
Does taking lithium shorten your life?
At high doses, lithium reduced their lifespan . “We found low doses not only prolong life but also shield the body from stress and block fat production for flies on a high sugar diet,” said co-researcher Dr Ivana Bjedov from the UCL Cancer Institute.
Is 300mg of lithium a lot?
Long-term Control: The desirable serum lithium levels are 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/l. Dosage will vary from one individual to another, but usually 300 mg of lithium carbonate t.i.d. or q.i.d., will maintain this level.
How long can you stay on lithium?
The NICE guidelines for bipolar disorder recommend that you gradually reduce your dose of lithium over at least four weeks. Ideally, you would reduce it over a period of up to three months .
What are the 3 main symptoms of lithium toxicity?
Symptoms of lithium toxicity include severe nausea and vomiting, severe hand tremors, confusion, and vision changes . If you experience these, you should seek immediate medical attention to check your lithium levels.
Does lithium change your personality?
Substantial affect and mood changes are induced by lithium carbonate. Lethargy, dysphoria, a loss of interest in interacting with others and the environment, and a state of increased mental confusion were reported. No generalized effects were found in the responses to the personality inventories.
Does lithium affect your teeth?
People are more susceptible to particular dental issues when they lack saliva from lithium , such as tooth decay, gingivitis, and gum disease. The gums and other oral tissue can become red, inflamed, and ulcerated, making it painful to eat and follow a proper oral hygiene regimen.
Does lithium make you happy?
Lithium is a type of medicine known as a mood stabiliser. It’s used to treat mood disorders such as: mania (feeling highly excited, overactive or distracted)
Does lithium make you emotionless?
Lithium only works in approximately one-third of patients. But even if the drug does work, it comes with a raft of side effects, including nausea, muscle tremors, emotional numbing , weight gain, and birth defects.
Does lithium suppress appetite?
Lithium seems to influence appetite slightly although it is responsible for the gain in weight in a fourth of the treated outpatients. Half of the subjects consider that lithium modifies their sexuality towards a decrease of the desire without modifying their capacities of realization.
