Lithium has been used to treat psychiatric conditions for more than 70 years now. However, patients offered lithium have been scared off by its side effects. A paper published in Pharmaceuticals in 2024 takes apart those fears.

What Are The Common Concerns?

These are a few concerns people have:

• Kidney damage

• Thyroid problems

• Tremors

• Weight gain

• Memory loss

Let’s see what scientists say of those side effects.

Kidney Damage

Lithium does affect renal function. The risk of developing a kidney problem depends on many factors including duration of the treatment, the age of the patient, and other medications they are taking.

The risk of kidney failure is about the same as with anticonvulsants – another drug used for bipolar and anxiety disorders.

Nowadays, doctors are keeping lithium dose at the lowest level possible. For example, lithium can be prescribed within a range of 0.6 to 1.1 meq/L, but a doctor would aim for the lower end, from 0.6 to 0.8 meq/L.

Thyroid

Another concern is how lithium affects the thyroid. Yes, lithium can slow down production of thyroid hormones and cause hypothyroidism in up to 20% of patients. However, it can be balanced by prescribing a replacement of thyroid hormone. 

Tremors

Tremor is a common side effect. In most cases, a doctor would lower your dose of lithium or give you medication to manage tremor, such as propranolol or the dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker nimodipin. 

Weight Gain

Weight gain is often mentioned as a side effect, but recent studies show it is actually quite rare

Memory Loss

Memory decline on lithium seems to be a myth. On the contrary, lithium is considered to prevent cognitive issues, protect from dementia, and restore the hippocampus in people with bipolar disorder. 

Do You Want To Learn More? Check Out These Articles:

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