Recently Answered Questions
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What medicine should I avoid while taking Lithium and Quetiapine?
Query: Hi doctor, I am on Lithium 600 mg per day and Quetiapine 300 mg per day. I would like to know what kind of food, beverages and medicines I should avoid. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Regarding Lithium: Medications for depression (antidepressant drugs) interact with it. Do not take Lithium if you are taking medications for depression. Some of these medications include SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) like Fluoxetine and oth... Read Full »
I have excessive thirst and frequent urination. Are these due to my medications?
Query: Hello doctor,I have been on Lithium for bipolar disorder for over 20 years. From a blood test two years ago, I noticed that my GFR was below 40. So, I gradually started switching from Lithium to Epilim to avoid further damage to my kidneys. But now, I experience excessive thirst and I wake up at nig... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have seen your detailed reports (attachment removed to protect patient identity). Lithium commonly causes two types of renal disease, namely nephrogenic diabetes insipidus and chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis. Diabetes insipidus is causing the symptoms of incre... Read Full »
Can my diabetic and hypertensive father use Aripiprazole?
Query: Hello doctor, My father is 65 years old. He has bipolar disorder for 40 years. He also has diabetes. He is taking medicine for high blood pressure. For a very long time, he took lithium 1000 mg and oxcarbazepine 900 mg. 2-3 episodes used to happen, normally of long manic spell followed by gloomy/not... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have read through your query in detail. Please find my observations below. Medicines for mental health conditions should be taken under the strict supervision of the psychiatrist. As mentioned above, lithium toxicity is a serious concern and it is good that you have ... Read Full »
I have depression and diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Do I only have depression?
Query: Hello doctor,I have been experiencing mild depression since I was a child. My family problem made me extra depressed. After three years, I fell in love with a girl, but then she left me. This created a check for me, so I wanted to study more to prove myself. The depression kept increasing, but I sta... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. It is good to know that you are feeling better on your current medication of Lithium and Abilify (Aripiprazole). From the information you have given, it is difficult to provide a comprehensive opinion, but it does look like you have experienced some hypomanic symptom... Read Full »
Why is my son becoming so aggressive and impatient?
Query: Hi doctor, My son is 13 years old. He is on Ritalin LA, Oleanz 5, Nuzak and Lithium. I think the doctors do not know what is really wrong and are experimenting on him? Recently he is telling lies, stealing and defiant. He does get agitated at times and shows aggression and has become very impatient.... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. The medications seem to be for ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and bipolar disorder with psychotic features. He should be managed only by a psychiatrist. Aggression is a part of ADHD. The Ritalin (Methylphenidate hydrochloride) can cause sleep difficult... Read Full »
Please suggest a medicine to control aggression in bipolar disorder.
Query: Hi doctor, My mother has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and no medicine help with her aggression. She is currently on Zolam and Clonafit. I have also attached her other prescription reports for your reference. My mother beats and abuses our maid. She defecates in the room whenever she wants ... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have read your query and I understand your concern. First of all, I feel that she is developing dementia as defecating in the room is not a characteristic of bipolar disorder. I understand she punishes other family members, especially maid, but this is not someth... Read Full »
Can lithium damage your kidney and thyroid?
Query: Hello doctor, My health issue started 11 years back when I was diagnosed with mania. Since then, I have been taking Olimelt 5 mg. My weight has increased from 65 to 100 kg. Whenever I tried to stop the medicine, the problem worsened. I have had four manic episodes in all these years. The last epis... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Yes, Lithium can cause this side effect. Kindly discuss with your treating psychiatrist regarding substituting Lithium with Lurasidone or Quetiapine. Topiramate can be added to counter weight gain after discussing with your treating psychiatrist. Remember, every probl... Read Full »
My mother behaves weirdly with a lot of mood swings. How to treat her?
Query: Hello doctor, First of all, let me thank you for this platform. It is just wonderful that you make professional opinion available for people who have nowhere else to turn. My mother has been showing weird behavior ever since I can remember. The issue is that anytime someone (from our family or othe... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Thanks for the query. I can understand your concern regarding your mother and your brothers. You have given a beautifully elaborated history, clearly showing your mom is suffering from bipolar affective disorder (BPAD) and needs clinical assistance. She cannot ta... Read Full »
Does medication used for schizophrenic disorder cause weight loss and lethargy?
Query: Hello doctor, I am a 34 year old male weighing 81 kg. I had my first manic episode 16 years back, for which I was put under psychiatric care for two months. Then again after a couple of years, I had some depressive symptoms for which I was prescribed Escitalopram 20 mg once daily and some ayurvedic ... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. It seems that you have bipolar affective disorder and currently in the depression phase. According to me, your thyroid disturbances should have been treated while taking Lithium, rather than discontinuing it, as Lithium is the best medicine for your condition. Los... Read Full »
Is it possible for Lithium and Ibuprofen interaction to result in neurological toxicity?
Query: Hi doctor, I am a 27-year-old female. I have been taking Lithium 1200 mg for five years. Last year, I got an injury and it required regular pain management. So I was told to take Ibuprofen at a maximum dose. Within a week, I developed ataxia, muscle weakness, and spasticity, memory loss, polyuria... Read Full »
Answer: Hi,Welcome to icliniq.com.It is purely drug to drug interaction and it is well known with lithium. In fact, lithium interacts with many drugs and it is one of the drugs having a narrow therapeutic index. The symptoms of lithium toxicity can develop even with the absence of kidney damage as they are ... Read Full »