Licar 400mg Tablet PR

Reviews How to Use Benefits Uses Side Effects

Product Info

Prescription required	Yes
Marketer	Psycogen Captab
Active Ingredient	Lithium carbonate (400mg)
Storage	Store below 30°C
Chemical Class	Organic Carbonic Acids
Habit Forming	No
Therapeutic Class	NEURO CNS
Action Class	Mood stabilizers
User Rating	4.5
User Reviews	793

FAQ

How quickly does Licar 400mg work?

It takes some time before you see improvement in your symptoms after taking Licar 400mg. Though it varies from person to person, it may take 1-3 weeks or longer for you to see the full benefits of Licar 400mg. Do not stop taking Licar 400mg if you feel you are not improving. Instead, discuss it with your doctor.

Which medicines decrease Licar 400mg levels?

You should inform your doctor about the medicines you are taking before starting Licar 400mg since many medicines interfere with the working of Licar 400mg. Some medicines decrease the levels of Licar 400mg in blood which means that it will not work well. These include theophylline (for asthma), caffeine, anything containing sodium bicarbonate, or a special group of diuretics (water tablets) called carbonic anhydrase inhibitors and urea used to treat skin conditions.

Does Licar 400mg make you sleepy?

Yes, Licar 400mg can cause nervous system disorders like sleepiness and dizziness and feeling confused. It can also cause rapid eye movements, blurred vision, or blind spots in your eyesight. If you experience any of these symptoms, consult your doctor. In addition, avoid driving or operating heavy machinery as it can be hazardous for you.

Can Licar 400mg cause gain in weight?

Licar 400mg can cause both weight gain or weight loss. You should keep a check on your weight during Licar 400mg therapy. If you feel you are gaining or losing too much weight, consult your doctor who will assess whether the change in weight is due to Licar 400mg or some other reason.

What is the most important information I should know about Licar 400mg?

Licar 400mg therapy should only be started if adequate facilities for assessing Licar 400mg levels are available. This is because Licar 400mg toxicity is related to increased levels of Licar 400mg in blood. Licar 400mg toxicity can even occur at dose which is effective for treatment. Therefore, your doctor may closely monitor your Licar 400mg levels weekly until stabilization is achieved, then weekly for one month and then at monthly intervals thereafter.

How should Licar 400mg be taken?

Take Licar 400mg exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Check with your doctor if you are not sure. It is meant for oral administration and can be taken with or without food. However, if you start following a certain type of diet, talk to your doctor first. Any drastic changes in the amount of water you drink or amount of sodium (salt) in your diet may require more frequent monitoring of Licar 400mg levels.

Is Licar 400mg bad for kidneys?

Yes, Licar 400mg may cause kidney problems. Licar 400mg is not prescribed in patients who already have severe kidney impairment. The kidney problems may not be reversible and the symptoms include swollen ankles, passing a lot of urine and feeling thirsty. Before starting treatment with Licar 400mg, your doctor will get blood tests done to see if your kidney function is normal. During Licar 400mg therapy, any gradual or sudden changes in renal function, even within the normal range, may indicate the need for re-evaluation of treatment.

What if you forget to take Licar Tablet PR?

If you miss a dose of Licar 400mg, skip it and continue with your normal schedule. Do not double the dose.

Licar 400mg Tablet PR Reviews

Licar 400mg is used in the treatment of bipolar disorder and mania in adults. It is sometimes used to treat other behavioral disorders as well. It reduces the frequency of manic episodes and decreases the intensity of those episodes that might occur.

Licar 400mg should be taken with food. However, it is advised to take it at the same time each day as this helps to maintain a consistent level of medicine in the body. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. If you have missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. You should continue to take this medicine for as long as the doctor advises and do not stop taking it suddenly as it may result in harmful effects.

Side effects associated with the use of this medicine include tremors, slurred speech, uncoordinated body movements, nausea, Vomiting, acne, increased white blood cell count, and memory impairment. It may also cause hair loss, enlarged thyroid gland, skin rash, and increased thirst. This medicine may also cause weight gain and to control it, you should have a balanced diet and exercise regularly. If you have been taking this medicine for a long time then regular monitoring of thyroid and kidney function may be required.

How Licar 400mg Tablet PR Works

Licar 400mg works by suppressing the abnormal and excessive activity of the nerve cells in the brain.

How to Use Licar 400mg Tablet PR

Use it as advised by your doctor or check the label for directions before use. Licar 400mg is to be taken with food.

Benefits of Licar 400mg Tablet PR

In Bipolar disorder: Licar 400mg works to restore the normal balance of nerve activity in your brain. It can help prevent extreme changes in mood and help you feel less agitated. You may experience fewer episodes of low mood. It can take several weeks for this medicine to work and you may still feel low during this time. It is likely that you will take this medicine for at least six months but possibly much longer. It needs to be taken regularly to work effectively. Do not stop taking it unless your doctor advises you to. You should continue to eat well and keep fit to reduce symptoms of bipolar disorder.
In Mania: Mania means extremely excited or elevated mood. Licar 400mg helps calm the mood and relax the nerves. This stabilises the mood and prevents the symptoms of mania from recurring again. Taking Licar 400mg will ensure that you have a better social life and are able to do daily activities more comfortably.

Uses of Licar 400mg Tablet PR

Mania
Bipolar disorder

Licar 400mg Tablet PR Side Effects

Safety Tips

Pregnancy ^{CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR}

Licar 400mg is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.

Alcohol ^UNSAFE

It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Licar 400mg.

Breast feeding ^{CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR}

Licar 400mg is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.

Driving ^UNSAFE

Licar 400mg may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive.

Liver ^{SAFE IF PRESCRIBED}

Licar 400mg is probably safe to use in patients with liver disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Licar 400mg may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.

Kidney ^CAUTION

Licar 400mg should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Licar 400mg may be needed. Please consult your doctor.

Quick Tips

Do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how it affects you.
Do not stop taking the medication suddenly without talking to your doctor.
Monitor your weight during treatment as Licar 400mg can cause weight gain.
Your lithium blood levels, thyroid function, and kidney function may be monitored as long as you take this medicine.
It may cause diarrhea and dehydration. Drink plenty of water and and use normal amounts of salt. Inform your doctor if you start or stop a low-salt diet.
Do not take Licar 400mg if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Licar 400mg is one of the most effective long-term treatment for bipolar disorder.
Inform your doctor if you have persistent stomach upset, problems with your speech, or extreme drowsiness. Your dose may need to be adjusted.
It may also be used for the treatment of mania.

References

Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
Lithium Carbonate [Patient Information Leaflet]. Ahmedabad, Gujarat: Torrent Pharmaceuticals :Ltd.; 2022.
Stahl SM, editor. Lithium. In: Stahl's Essential Pschopharmacology: Prescriber's Guide. 5th ed. New York, New York: Cambridge University Press; 2014. pp. 349-54.
Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006. Lithium. [Updated 2020 Jan 20].
Meltzer H. Antipsychotic Agents & Lithium. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. pp. 502-504.