Generic Name: Lithobid (lithium)
Lithobid Reviews
For Bipolar Disorder "I started having severe depression in 1971 (suicidal ideations) followed by manic episodes that ended in psychosis, jail, and mental institutions. I held the manic episodes at bay by consuming large amounts of alcohol. After a hospitalization in 1979 for depression, I was prescribed lithium. I quit taking lithium once in 1983 to go natural and wound up in the puzzle house. I have been taking it ever since (1200 mg/day) and have experienced no perceptible side effects. I just had blood work done and have normal kidney and liver function. I did quit drinking and I now exercise regularly. I am now retired after a successful marriage and career. I have lived a good life."
For Bipolar Disorder "Changed my life totally and completely. I used to be on an emotional roller coaster...up and down, over and over again. This medicine just brings me to a mellow state. I let nothing get to me anymore. I never get hostile, and that was my norm. I actually think this medicine saved my life because I was so tired of being emotional and angry! This was my last resort. I tried everything else that the doctor wanted me to try and none of that fazed me. I recommend this to anyone with bipolar."
For Bipolar Disorder "Many years ago, I was diagnosed with bipolar II. Lithium was my doctor's first choice. I wasn't even sure how effective it was. The side effects were awful. I could not work, and I lost down to 95 pounds. I was so weak that I had difficulty climbing stairs. I shook so badly that I could not sign my own name. Then my doctor started to add all sorts of medicines to counteract the side effects. I became hypothyroid and had to take medicines for that, and tremor had to take medicines for that (which didn't work well). The doctor decreased the dose (which didn't help much). I was on leave from work for 12 weeks. Finally, I stopped the lithium. It took a while for my doctor to believe my problems with this medicine because they were not typical. Those 12 weeks were the worst."
For Bipolar Disorder "I have been struggling with bipolar for 17 years, and nothing has worked as well as lithium. The side effects are uncomfortable as far as the upset stomach feeling, but eating with the medication helps."
For Bipolar Disorder "I have been on Lithium for the last 11 years after being diagnosed with Bipolar I. Has worked perfectly. However, it caused hypothyroidism after 5 years, and now it looks like, after a decade, I have finally increased my creatinine level, affecting my kidneys, so here I am searching for a new medication. Other than these side effects, this medication worked perfectly for over 10 years."
For Bipolar Disorder "I've been taking Lithium for almost 2 years now. It is actually amazing mood-wise, and it helped me get over my social anxiety. The side effects I've had, which technically are not good at all, but are almost worth how I feel, are: I had to be put on blood pressure medicines, my hair is shedding a lot more than normal, I have more acne than I used to, and the worst one: I've gained about 25 pounds, which, for me, wasn't good, I was already overweight. Oh, and I haven't had a period for almost three months now (not pregnant), my doctor thinks Lithium might be to blame. I'm only 25, by the way, so I should still have a period. Besides all of this, Lithium was the best thing to ever happen to me."
For Bipolar Disorder "I was taking regular lithium before lithobid. We switched to lithobid thinking the extended release would be easier on my body. I had nothing but problems after switching to lithobid; for some reason my body rejected this drug when lithium was always good to me. Six months later I moved and switched pharmacies and due to a pharmacy error I got 300mg of lithobid instead of my prescribed 1500mg. They couldn't give me more but for some reason were able to give me 1200mg of lithium. After just two weeks of being on 1200 lithium and 300 lithobid, people started telling me I seemed like myself again. And I was feeling much better. My anxiety was way down and I wasn't having strange spikes into delirium. So I don't know why, but lithobid was a completely useless drug for me, while lithium did its job. They should be the same thing, right? But if you're having problems on lithobid, I guess know that it's possible for you to react to it differently than plain ol' lithium."
For Bipolar Disorder "My manias have definitely been 'filed down' so far.... Though I now have mixed states and anger is highly apparent during mania. Though I'm unsure if Lithium is to blame here for I've always had anger issues. But it seems more intense."
For Bipolar Disorder "On Lithium everything felt muffled. It also took a large dosage to get to therapeutic level and then I had allergic reactions to it, vomiting, tremors, disorientation, etc. If it works for you, apparently from others I've talked to, it really does; if it doesn't it really doesn't."
For Bipolar Disorder "Lithium was hard for me to take at first. If I did not eat enough with the medicine I would vomit. The medicine works for me but I do not like the fact that I have gained weight and it causes acne. I have done everything I can to have clear skin but it does not matter what I do. Lithium is cheap and effective but like I said I don't like the side effects. I am going to try Tegretol when I go back to the Doctor."
For Bipolar Disorder "Lithium works wonders to stabilize my mood. Only negative is some hair loss and acne."
For Bipolar Disorder "So far, so awesome. Been on it a week and am not as agitated. Suicidal thoughts are going away."
For Schizoaffective Disorder "Suicidal thoughts and cutting/burning (self-harming) were almost nonexistent."
For Schizoaffective Disorder "Most effective medicine I've had so far. Unfortunately, had to stop taking due to kidney effects."
For Bipolar Disorder "This medication has truly made a huge difference in my mood swings. I am forever grateful."
For Bipolar Disorder "I got Myxedema coma. It was identified in the nick of time. Stay closely monitored."
For Bipolar Disorder "Like it very well compared to other drugs I have taken."
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Other brands
Eskalith, Eskalith-CR
Professional resources
- Lithobid prescribing information
- Lithium (AHFS Monograph)
Related treatment guides
- Bipolar Disorder
- Schizoaffective Disorder
- Mania
