If you or your child take lithium for bipolar disorder, watch for the first signs of high levels of lithium in the blood. It's important to maintain a careful balance of lithium in the blood, and the difference between helpful (therapeutic) levels and toxic levels is very small. Signs of high lithium include:
- Shaky hands and muscle twitching.
- Weakness, loss of balance, and/or drowsiness.
- Vomiting and diarrhea.
At the first signs of excess lithium buildup in the blood, call your doctor.
Later symptoms of high lithium in the blood include:
- Slurred speech.
- Confusion.
- Seizures.
If you experience any of these later symptoms, you need immediate medical treatment. Call 911 or other emergency services.
Credits
| Author | Sabra L. Katz-Wise |
| Author | Cynthia Tank |
| Editor | Katy E. Magee, MA |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Michele Cronen |
| Associate Editor | Terrina Vail |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Lisa S. Weinstock, MD - Psychiatry |
| Last Updated | April 18, 2006 |
Cynthia Tank
Lisa S. Weinstock, MD - Psychiatry
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