Lithium Interactions: What You Need to Know Before Taking It

When you take lithium, a mood-stabilizing medication used primarily to treat bipolar disorder. Also known as lithium carbonate, it helps control extreme mood swings—but it doesn’t play well with everything else in your body. Even small changes in your diet, other medications, or health conditions can push lithium levels into dangerous territory. That’s why understanding lithium interactions isn’t just important—it’s life-saving.

Lithium is processed by your kidneys, the organs responsible for filtering waste and regulating fluid balance. If your kidneys aren’t working right—because of dehydration, NSAIDs like ibuprofen, or even high salt intake—lithium builds up in your blood. That’s when you start feeling shaky, nauseous, or confused. Same goes for your thyroid, the gland that controls your metabolism. Lithium can slow it down, causing fatigue, weight gain, or depression that looks like your original condition. Many people don’t realize these symptoms are side effects of lithium, not a relapse.

You might think a cold medicine or a supplement is harmless, but common over-the-counter drugs like diuretics, ACE inhibitors, and even some antidepressants can spike lithium levels. And don’t assume natural means safe—St. John’s Wort, which shows up in several of our posts, can interfere with lithium just like it does with other mood drugs. Even switching salt brands or drinking less water than usual can throw things off. That’s why regular blood tests aren’t optional. They’re the only way to know if your dose still fits your body.

If you’re on lithium, you’re not just managing a mental health condition—you’re managing a tight chemical balance. The posts below cover real cases and practical advice: how to spot early signs of toxicity, which painkillers to avoid, what lab tests to ask for, and how to talk to your doctor when something feels off. This isn’t theoretical. People get hospitalized every year because they didn’t know lithium doesn’t play nice with common meds. You don’t have to be one of them.