Lithium/Carbamazepine Interactions
This information is generalized and not intended as specific medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional before taking or discontinuing any drug or commencing any course of treatment.
Medical warning:
Moderate. These medicines may cause some risk when taken together. Contact your healthcare professional (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) for more information.
How the interaction occurs:
When carbamazepine and lithium are given together they may produce increased effects that may not be seen when either medicine is given alone.
What might happen:
You may experience lithium toxicities that affect the nervous system. If you have other problems related to the nervous system you may be at greater risk for this toxicity.
What you should do about this interaction:
Make sure your healthcare professionals (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) know that you are taking these medicines together and all other medicines you are taking.If you experience confusion, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, fainting, fever, tremors, weakness, sluggishness, mental or mood changes, seizures or other symptoms, contact your doctor. It may be necessary to monitor your treatment more closely or to change you to a different medicine.High doses of one or both medicines, previous problems with your brain, a history of similar symptoms caused by medicines in the past, or other current diseases such as infection or dehydration may increase the chance for harmful effects.Your healthcare professionals (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of this interaction and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
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CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.