Eskalith

The active ingredient in Carbolith is lithium carbonate, a mood stabilizer. Its specific mechanism is not fully understood, but it is thought to affect the levels of certain chemicals in your brain that regulate mood.

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and read all documents provided, including the full Prescribing Information, FDA-Approved Product Labeling, Instructions for Use, and Medication Guide before using Carbolith. However, the following is a synopsis of the general guidelines for the use of Carbolith:

-The typical dosing of lithium depends on your blood levels. You will be required to do blood tests during the initiation of lithium therapy and periodically during continued lithium treatment, to ensure your levels of lithium are in the appropriate therapeutic range.

-Initially, your doctor may recommend that you take lithium 2-3 times daily with food.

-When your dose is stable and you are tolerating it well, you may take Carbolith capsules once daily with food.

-Do not chew, crush, or break the capsule.

-It is important to have adequate salt and water intake while taking lithium. Be consistent in your day-to-day salt intake since changing the amount of salt you consume suddenly can affect your lithium blood levels. Low sodium levels can increase the risk of toxicity.

-In the event of a missed dose, do not double your dose. Take your next dose at the scheduled time.

Some mild and common side effects of Carbolith include:

-Drowsiness.

-Abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea.

-Hand tremor.

-Weight gain.

-Excessive urination or thirst (which may be indicative of kidney issues).

Some individuals may experience serious side effects while using Carbolith. These side effects may require immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the following, contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency medical help:

-Drowsiness, lethargy, slurred speech, blurred vision, increased tremors or muscle twitching, comiting, diarrhea. These may be early signs of lithium toxicity.

-Dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, and heart palpitations. These may be signs of heart arrhythmias.

-Fatigue, sleepiness, muscle weakness, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and confusion. These may be signs of hypercalcemia (high calcium levels).

-Weakness, lethargy, fever, tremors, and confusion. These may be signs of an encephalopathy.

-Increased thirst, increased frequency of urination. This may point to a change in your kidney function.

-Change in thyroid function. Symptoms of low thyroid levels include tiredness, hair loss, weight gain, and feeling cold. High thyroid levels can cause weight loss, feeling hot, irritability, and sweating.

These are not all of the possible side effects of Carbolith. You should always seek medical advice from your healthcare provider for any questions or concerns about your medical condition or treatment. Read all patient information, medication guides, or drug information sheets that come with this medication. You can also report adverse effects to the Food and Drug Administration at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.

The use of lithium in children less than 12 years old or older adults over 65 years of age has not been studied.

Before starting Carbolith, it is crucial to discuss any existing health conditions with your healthcare provider. You should be sure that your healthcare provider is aware of all your medical conditions, including:

-Kidney disease

-Heart rhythm abnormalities or other heart conditions

-Low thyroid function (hypothyroidism)

-Electrolyte imbalances

Boxed Warning

-Lithium toxicity is related to serum lithium concentrations. Facilities that can accurately and promptly determine lithium concentrations must be available for initiating lithium therapy and for ongoing monitoring.

Carbolith should not be used in people who:

-Are allergic to lithium or any inactive ingredient of this formulation.

-Have severe renal disease or heart disease.

-Are severely dehydrated, have sodium depletion, or are taking diuretics (this can increase the risk of lithium toxicity).

-Have brain damage.

It may take 1-3 weeks to feel the full benefit from Carbolith on manic symptoms.

When Carbolith is taken with other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, it may change how they work or increase the frequency or severity of side effects. Make sure that you tell your healthcare professional about anything that you are taking to avoid any negative drug interactions, including:

-Other antipsychotics such as haloperidol, phenothiazines,

-NSAIDs and other medications that may affect the kidneys

-Some antidepressants like tricyclic antidepressants and SSRIs (fluoxetine, sertraline, fluvoxamine)

-Carbamazepine.

-Some blood pressure-lowering agents like ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, and diuretics (water pills).

Carbolith is available in 150 mg, 300 mg, and 600 mg capsules.

Carbolith should be stored at room temperature, out of reach of children.

Carbolith is manufactured by Apotex Inc.

Yes, generic versions of the brand-name Carbolith are available.

Lithium is intended for the maintenance treatment of bipolar disorders and prevents the recurrence of mood episodes. You should not stop taking lithium unless instructed by your doctor.

When stopping lithium, it should be discontinued gradually to avoid a sudden relapse of a mood episode.

Lithium should not be used in pregnancy unless it cannot be changed to another medication. It may affect the development of your unborn baby’s heart if taken during early pregnancy.

Talk to your doctor if you are already pregnant or if you have any plans to become pregnant. They will know or recommend what is best for you.

Carbolith is excreted in breast milk and is not recommended to be taken while breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor if you are already breastfeeding or if you have any plans to breastfeed. They will know or recommend what is best for you.