Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR
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Introduction To Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR
Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR 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.
Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR 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, 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.
Uses of Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR
- Mania
- Bipolar disorder
Benefits of Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR
Mania
Mania means extremely excited or elevated mood. Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR helps calm the mood
and relax the nerves. This stabilises the mood and prevents the symptoms of
mania from recurring again. Taking Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR will ensure that you have a
better social life and are able to do daily activities more comfortably.
Bipolar disorder
Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR 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.
Side effects of Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common side effects of Lithocap
- Tremors
- Slurred speech
- Uncoordinated body movements
- Nausea
- Acne
- Increased white blood cell count
- Memory impairment
- Hair loss
- Goiter (enlarged thyroid gland)
- Skin rash
- Increased thirst
- Weight gain
- Polyuria
- Diarrhea
How to use Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR is to be taken with food.
How Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR works
Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR works by suppressing the abnormal and excessive activity of the nerve cells in the brain.
Quick tips
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Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR is one of the most effective long-term treatment for bipolar disorder.
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It may also be used for the treatment of mania.
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Your lithium blood levels, thyroid function, and kidney function may be monitored as long as you take this medicine.
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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.
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Monitor your weight during treatment as Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR can cause weight gain.
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Do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how it affects you.
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Inform your doctor if you have persistent stomach upset, problems with your speech, or extreme drowsiness. Your dose may need to be adjusted.
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Do not take Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
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Do not stop taking the medication suddenly without talking to your doctor.
Safety Advice
PregnancyCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Can I take Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR if I’m pregnant?
Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR 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.
BreastfeedingSAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Can I take Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR if I’m breastfeeding?
Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR is probably safe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug does not represent any significant risk to the baby.
AlcoholUNSAFE
Is drinking alcohol while taking Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR safe?
It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR.
DrivingUNSAFE
Can I drive after taking Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR?
Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive. Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR may make you feel sleepy, tired or dizzy. Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR may also cause other effects that can make it dangerous to drive such as numbness, paralysis, weakness or fits (seizures).
KidneyCAUTION
Can I take Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR if I have/had kidney diseases?
Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR may be needed. Please consult your doctor. Use of Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR is not recommended in patients with severe kidney disease.
LiverSAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Can I take Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR if I have/had liver diseases?
Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR is probably safe to use in patients with liver disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How quickly does Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR work?
It takes some time before you see improvement in your symptoms after taking Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR. Though it varies from person to person, it may take 1-3 weeks or longer for you to see the full benefits of Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR. Do not stop taking Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR if you feel you are not improving. Instead, discuss it with your doctor.
Q. Does Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR make you sleepy?
Yes, Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR 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.
Q. Is Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR bad for kidneys?
Yes, Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR may cause kidney problems. Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR 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 Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR, your doctor will get blood tests done to see if your kidney function is normal. During Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR therapy, any gradual or sudden changes in renal function, even within the normal range, may indicate the need for re-evaluation of treatment.
Q. Can Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR cause gain in weight?
Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR can cause both weight gain or weight loss. You should keep a check on your weight during Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR 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 Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR or some other reason.
Q. What is the most important information I should know about Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR?
Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR therapy should only be started if adequate facilities for assessing Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR levels are available. This is because Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR toxicity is related to increased levels of Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR in blood. Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR toxicity can even occur at dose which is effective for treatment. Therefore, your doctor may closely monitor your Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR levels weekly until stabilization is achieved, then weekly for one month and then at monthly intervals thereafter.
Q. How should Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR be taken?
Take Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR 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 Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR levels.
Q. Which medicines decrease Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR levels?
You should inform your doctor about the medicines you are taking before starting Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR since many medicines interfere with the working of Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR. Some medicines decrease the levels of Litcarb 400mg Tablet SR 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.
References
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