Lithocent CR Tablet

Reviews How to Use Benefits Uses Side Effects

Product Info

Prescription required	Yes
Marketer	Crescent Therapeutics Ltd
Active Ingredient	Lithium carbonate (450mg)
Storage	Store below 30°C
Chemical Class	Organic Carbonic Acids
Habit Forming	No
Therapeutic Class	NEURO CNS
Action Class	Mood stabilizers
User Rating	4.6
User Reviews	497

FAQ

Can Lithocent CR cause gain in weight?

Lithocent CR can cause both weight gain or weight loss. You should keep a check on your weight during Lithocent CR 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 Lithocent CR or some other reason.

How quickly does Lithocent CR work?

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

Is Lithocent CR bad for kidneys?

Yes, Lithocent CR may cause kidney problems. Lithocent CR 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 Lithocent CR, your doctor will get blood tests done to see if your kidney function is normal. During Lithocent CR therapy, any gradual or sudden changes in renal function, even within the normal range, may indicate the need for re-evaluation of treatment.

How should Lithocent CR be taken?

Take Lithocent CR 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 Lithocent CR levels.

What is the most important information I should know about Lithocent CR?

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

Does Lithocent CR make you sleepy?

Yes, Lithocent CR 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.

Which medicines decrease Lithocent CR levels?

You should inform your doctor about the medicines you are taking before starting Lithocent CR since many medicines interfere with the working of Lithocent CR. Some medicines decrease the levels of Lithocent CR 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.

What if you forget to take Lithocent Tablet CR?

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

Lithocent CR Tablet Reviews

Lithocent CR 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.

Lithocent CR 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 Lithocent CR Tablet Works

Lithocent CR works by suppressing the abnormal and excessive activity of the nerve cells in the brain.

How to Use Lithocent CR Tablet

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Lithocent CR is to be taken with food.

Benefits of Lithocent CR Tablet

In Mania: Mania means extremely excited or elevated mood. Lithocent CR helps calm the mood and relax the nerves. This stabilises the mood and prevents the symptoms of mania from recurring again. Taking Lithocent CR will ensure that you have a better social life and are able to do daily activities more comfortably.
In Bipolar disorder: Lithocent CR 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.

Uses of Lithocent CR Tablet

Mania
Bipolar disorder

Lithocent CR Tablet Side Effects

Safety Tips

Pregnancy ^{CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR}

Lithocent CR 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.

Kidney ^CAUTION

Lithocent CR should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Lithocent CR may be needed. Please consult your doctor.

Breast feeding ^{CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR}

Lithocent CR 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

Lithocent CR may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive.

Liver ^{SAFE IF PRESCRIBED}

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

Alcohol ^UNSAFE

It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Lithocent CR.

Quick Tips

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

References

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.
Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006. Lithium. [Updated 2020 Jan 20].
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.
Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
Lithium Carbonate [Patient Information Leaflet]. Ahmedabad, Gujarat: Torrent Pharmaceuticals :Ltd.; 2022.