some info about this medication

[Strider]

Hello all,

my first time here hope all are fine...
i was diagnosed lately and i get long term depression
Dr. put me on Camcolite 400 (Lithium Carbonate) twice a day.
so i far i think i am a bit feeling better but is any good becuase the price is real low

I wonder if anybody takes the same

thanks for any info

cheers

 

[nickh]

The price? I am guessing you are not in the UK strider?

But actually price isn't really relevant. This would just be a form of Lithium and I imagine there are a considerable number of people here who have been on Lithium either in the past or still are; I was on it for some years. I must admit I am a little surprised about its being prescribed as a main treatment for depression initially rather than a back-up or addition to some other anti-depressant which it always was in my case. In general (and I emphasise in general - you should ask a professional for specific advice) Lithium is used firstly as a so-called 'mood stabiliser' in treatment of BPD (Bi-Polar disorder) and secondly in cases of recurrent depression where other anti-depressants have not worked.
In practice (in the UK anyway) I think it is usually used where depression is concerned - as in my case - in conjunction with an anti-depressant.

The warning about Lithium is that the way in which it works is by having a certain level in the blood - if that level rises too high then there is a danger of lithium toxicity (symptoms include loss of appetite, diarrhoea, vomiting, blurred vision etc.) so you should see your doctor immediately if you do experience side-effects. Lithium can also potentially affect kidney function. Anyone on Lithium should be having their blood tested periodically but I am sure you have been told this.

As to the $100 question - well whether any drug works or not is entirely individual. If it is working for you great. I am sure that there will be people who could supply both positive and negative responses.

Nick.

 

[Dollit]

Lithium used as an antidepressant is more common than you would think. It can be extremely effective in dealing with depression,

I am more surprised that you're taking it twice a day. The usual way to take it is at night and it doesn't have a particularly long half life and so when you do have lithium levels taken you can get a false reading.

I don't take Camcolit anymore, I take a brand called Priadel. It varies from consultant to consultant and Camcolit is usually preferred because it is the cheapest. But its price doesn't affect it's efficiency.

 

[quality factor]

Hi I was on Lithium (Priadel) for fourteen years.I had regular blood tests, but somehow I slipped through the net and now as a consequence I have chronic kidney disease...my kidneys only function at 40%.
On the positive side Lithium was effective for me psychiatrically, it only lost it's efficiacy in the last two years or so.
I had a second opinion regarding the lithium causing the kidney problem and both doctors confirmed that they felt it was the cause.
I think that my experience might reaffirm the necessity of having regular blood tests and not forgetting about them.
QF.

 

[nickh]

Really sorry to hear that QF - I'm afraid that you're not the only person I have heard of this happening to. As it is such a well-established (and dangerous side-effect) of Lithium I think Doctors/Psychiatrists need to be really responsible and careful about prescribing and monitoring it although I appreciate that it can be effective psychiatrically. I take semi-sodium valproate (depakote) which has its own bad side-effects (basically don't have kids!) but they aren't really similar to Lithium although I am still blood-tested every so often. Well there ain't no wonder cures .

Nick.

 

[Dollit]

It's standard procedure to monitor lithium weekly until therapeutic levels are maintained. Then at least 3 monthly levels should be tested. Yes doctors and psychiatrists should be testing for renal and thryoid function twice a year but it is also up to us as people responsible for our own health to make sure that these tests are done. And it is in the PILs.

 

[Strider]

thanks all for the useful info

yes i am on regular lithium tests and twice a year will be testing kidneys and so
and this what made me a bit worried 'cause i hear many people suffer from kidney after long time of lithium medication, is there may be an alternative medicine the doctor may prescribe ? i will have to visit again and get more info as he never mentioned side effects of lithium.

thanks

 

[nickh]

We can't really get into suggesting alternative prescriptions here Strider as we are definitely not professionals - all we can do is talk about our own experiences including side-effects we are aware of. But it is perfectly in order to ask your doctor about side-effects and mention your concerns.

Nick.