What are the risks of a combination of lithium and alcohol?
The combination of lithium and alcohol can have serious risks and may be less effective. Lithium is usually prescribed for patients diagnosed with bipolar disorders, although it can also be used in patients with depression who do not have manic episodes if their depression does not only respond to antidepressants. The drug helps to stabilize the patient's mood and gives relief from other symptoms of bipolar disorder and depression, such as difficult sleep, changes in appetite and reduced energy. Lithium is salt and can cause serious problems if too much water or salt is lost, which is a common problem in a combination of lithium and alcohol. Drugs also act as a sedative that can be increased if the patient consumes alcohol. Alcohol can cause dehydration and prepare the body of the necessary water levels for lithium processys and maintain the medicine at safe levels. Symptoms of lithium toxicity include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea and tremor or muscle twitching. Patients who experience symptoms of lithium toxicity, especially afterDrinking alcohol should look for emergency medical care to avoid problems with comic and kidneys.
Many lithium patients experience a sedative effect after the use of the drug. Alcohol can increase this side effect, leading to fatigue, disorientation and muscle weakness. The combination of lithium and alcohol is particularly dangerous in using dangerous machines or equipment or driving as it may disrupt the patient's ability to perform these activities safely.
Alcohol drinking while taking lithium can also reduce the medicine. Many patients worsen the symptoms of depression during drinking, which negate the beneficial effects of the drug. Patients Lithium should never take more than the prescribed dose of the drug in an effort to increase efficiency, as this can lead to dangerous levels of drugs in the bloodstream.
patients respond differently to lithium and alcohol. Many patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder suffer from alcoholismand other problems with abuse of addictive substances. Patients should be honest with their doctors about their alcohol consumption, especially if they take lithium to avoid dangerous interaction. The physician may gradually propose to reduce the amount of alcohol consumed to increase the dose of lithium over time to reduce the risk of serious complications. Patients who have difficulty controlling drinking