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Avoid alcohol consumption, as it can increase drowsiness and affect lithium levels, worsening side effects.
Lithium should be used during pregnancy only if clearly necessary.
Lithium passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant.
Lithium may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision.
Lithium can affect kidney function.
No major concerns, but consult your doctor if you have significant liver disease.
Lithium Carbonate: Lithium works by affecting the flow of sodium through nerve and muscle cells in the body, which influences mood regulation and behavior. It stabilizes mood by enhancing serotonin levels, reducing the symptoms of mania (such as hyperactivity, rapid speech, and impulsive behavior), and preventing depression and mood swings in bipolar disorder.
Bipolar Disorder: Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings, including episodes of mania (high energy, irritability, and impulsive behavior) and depression (low mood, fatigue, and feelings of hopelessness). Lithium Toxicity: Lithium toxicity occurs when lithium levels in the blood become too high. Symptoms include severe drowsiness, confusion, blurred vision, slurred speech, and difficulty walking.
Cartil therapy should only be started if adequate facilities for assessing Cartil levels are available. This is because Cartil toxicity is related to increased levels of Cartil in blood. Cartil toxicity can even occur at dose which is effective for treatment. Therefore, your doctor may closely monitor your Cartil levels weekly until stabilization is achieved, then weekly for one month and then at monthly intervals thereafter.
Cartil can cause both weight gain or weight loss. You should keep a check on your weight during Cartil therapy. If you feel you are gaining or losing too much weight, consult your doctor who will assess whether the change in weight is due to Cartil or some other reason.
Yes, Cartil may cause kidney problems. Cartil is not prescribed in patients who already have severe kidney impairment. The kidney problems may not be reversible and the symptoms include swollen ankles, passing a lot of urine and feeling thirsty. Before starting treatment with Cartil, your doctor will get blood tests done to see if your kidney function is normal. During Cartil therapy, any gradual or sudden changes in renal function, even within the normal range, may indicate the need for re-evaluation of treatment.
Yes, Cartil can cause nervous system disorders like sleepiness and dizziness and feeling confused. It can also cause rapid eye movements, blurred vision, or blind spots in your eyesight. If you experience any of these symptoms, consult your doctor. In addition, avoid driving or operating heavy machinery as it can be hazardous for you.
It takes some time before you see improvement in your symptoms after taking Cartil. Though it varies from person to person, it may take 1-3 weeks or longer for you to see the full benefits of Cartil. Do not stop taking Cartil if you feel you are not improving. Instead, discuss it with your doctor.
You should inform your doctor about the medicines you are taking before starting Cartil since many medicines interfere with the working of Cartil. Some medicines decrease the levels of Cartil in blood which means that it will not work well. These include theophylline (for asthma), caffeine, anything containing sodium bicarbonate, or a special group of diuretics (water tablets) called carbonic anhydrase inhibitors and urea used to treat skin conditions.
Take Cartil exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Check with your doctor if you are not sure. It is meant for oral administration and can be taken with or without food. However, if you start following a certain type of diet, talk to your doctor first. Any drastic changes in the amount of water you drink or amount of sodium (salt) in your diet may require more frequent monitoring of Cartil levels.
MBA in Pharmaceutical
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