Despite Lithium Side Effects, Lithium Is the "Aspirin" of the Brain
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Prescription Drug News: Lithium Side Effects - "Small but mighty," is the description mental health providers use to describe lithium and its direct effects on the brain. With expert knowledge, providers can manage treatment so that its side effects are minimized. Lithium is considered the "aspirin" of the brain because it is a simple, naturally occurring metal. From a historical perspective, it was also the first drug used treat mental illness and remains the drug of choice today. Beyond being used as a mood stabilizer for mental health, lithium may be beneficial in treating strokes, Alzheimer's Disease, schizophrenia, glaucoma, Lou Gehrig's disease and Huntington's Disease.
Lithium Side Effects Can Be Managed
Lithium's marvel is, according to researchers, that it has "dual" capability for the brain; not only can lithium eradicate existing brain damage by encouraging new nerve cell growth, but it also protects the brain's neurons from damage and deterioration. These effects mean different things for different ailments. As it seems to cause new nerve cell growth and protect cells from death, lithium may be useful as a preventative medication for schizophrenia, which results when cells in the frontal lobe die. Lithium blocks the growth structures associated with Alzheimer's and it also aids in the regeneration of the optic nerves in cases of glaucoma. Lithium could be the decade's wonder drug, but research on the drug is limited because it is not a proprietary element; that is, no one holds a patent on lithium. That means anyone can copy anyone's work and, because more than one company can produce the same effect, profits fall. One of the key prescription drug facts is that limited drug profitability results in limited, or no, pharmaceutical research.
But as individual researchers work to understand lithium, there will always be issues with side effects, mainly because it has a narrow dosing window. The earliest symptoms of elevated lithium levels include irregular muscle action (or jerking), giddiness, ears ringing, blurred vision, diarrhea, drowsiness, and lack of coordination. Long-term effects include thirst, frequent urination, tremors with hand movements, weight gain and swelling. Patients should also be aware that long-term lithium use can result in nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI). However, if patients work with experts who truly understand lithium, any of the lithium side effects discussed in this article can be effectively managed.
