Alkalith 450mg Tablet CR
Alkalith 450mg Tablet CR should be taken with food. However, it is advised to take it at the same time each day as this helps to maintain a consistent level of medicine in the body. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. If you have missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. You should continue to take this medicine for as long as the doctor advises and do not stop taking it suddenly as it may result in harmful effects.
Alkalith 450mg Tablet CR
Basic Information
Important information about this medicine
About This Medicine
General information about this product
Alkalith 450mg Tablet CR is used in the treatment of bipolar disorder and mania in adults. It is sometimes used to treat other behavioral disorders as well. It reduces the frequency of manic episodes and decreases the intensity of those episodes that might occur.
Alkalith 450mg Tablet CR should be taken with food. However, it is advised to take it at the same time each day as this helps to maintain a consistent level of medicine in the body. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. If you have missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. You should continue to take this medicine for as long as the doctor advises and do not stop taking it suddenly as it may result in harmful effects.
Side effects associated with the use of this medicine include tremors, slurred speech, uncoordinated body movements, nausea, acne, increased white blood cell count, and memory impairment. It may also cause hair loss, enlarged thyroid gland, skin rash, and increased thirst. This medicine may also cause weight gain and to control it, you should have a balanced diet and exercise regularly. If you have been taking this medicine for a long time then regular monitoring of thyroid and kidney function may be required.
03Uses
Mania
Bipolar disorder
04How To Use
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Alkalith 450mg Tablet CR is to be taken with food.
05How It Works
Alkalith 450mg Tablet CR works by suppressing the abnormal and excessive activity of the nerve cells in the brain.
06Benefits
In Mania
Mania means extremely excited or elevated mood. Alkalith 450mg Tablet CR helps calm the mood and relax the nerves. This stabilises the mood and prevents the symptoms of mania from recurring again. Taking Alkalith 450mg Tablet CR will ensure that you have a better social life and are able to do daily activities more comfortably.
In Bipolar disorder
Alkalith 450mg Tablet CR works to restore the normal balance of nerve activity in your brain. It can help prevent extreme changes in mood and help you feel less agitated. You may experience fewer episodes of low mood. It can take several weeks for this medicine to work and you may still feel low during this time. It is likely that you will take this medicine for at least six months but possibly much longer. It needs to be taken regularly to work effectively. Do not stop taking it unless your doctor advises you to. You should continue to eat well and keep fit to reduce symptoms of bipolar disorder.show moreshow less
07Side Effects
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Diarrhea
Polyuria
Weight gain
Increased thirst
Skin rash
Goiter (enlarged thyroid gland)
Hair loss
Memory impairment
Increased white blood cell count
Acne
Nausea
Uncoordinated body movements
Slurred speech
Tremor
08Safety Information
Alcohol:UNSAFE
It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Alkalith 450mg Tablet CR.
Pregnancy:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Alkalith 450mg Tablet CR is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.
Breast feeding:SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Alkalith 450mg Tablet CR is probably safe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug does not represent any significant risk to the baby.
Driving:UNSAFE
Alkalith 450mg Tablet CR may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive.Alkalith 450mg Tablet CR may make you feel sleepy, tired or dizzy. Alkalith 450mg Tablet CR may also cause other effects that can make it dangerous to drive such as numbness, paralysis, weakness or fits (seizures).
Kidney:CAUTION
Alkalith 450mg Tablet CR should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Alkalith 450mg Tablet CR may be needed. Please consult your doctor.Use of Alkalith 450mg Tablet CR is not recommended in patients with severe kidney disease.
Liver:SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Alkalith 450mg Tablet CR is probably safe to use in patients with liver disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Alkalith 450mg Tablet CR may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.
09Drug Tips
Alkalith 450mg Tablet CR is one of the most effective long-term treatment for bipolar disorder.
It may also be used for the treatment of mania.
Your lithium blood levels, thyroid function, and kidney function may be monitored as long as you take this medicine.
It may cause diarrhea and dehydration. Drink plenty of water and and use normal amounts of salt. Inform your doctor if you start or stop a low-salt diet.
Monitor your weight during treatment as Alkalith 450mg Tablet CR can cause weight gain.
Do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how it affects you.
Inform your doctor if you have persistent stomach upset, problems with your speech, or extreme drowsiness. Your dose may need to be adjusted.
Do not take Alkalith 450mg Tablet CR if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Do not stop taking the medication suddenly without talking to your doctor.
References
Sources and references
Stahl SM, editor. Lithium. In: Stahl’s Essential Pschopharmacology: Prescriber’s Guide. 5th ed. New York, New York: Cambridge University Press; 2014. pp. 349-54.
Meltzer H. Antipsychotic Agents & Lithium. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. pp. 502-504.
Drugs.com. Lithium Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Warnings. view
Drugs and Lactation Database. Bethesda : National Library of Medicine ; 2006. Lithium. . view
Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation . view
