Product Information
Generic Eskalith and its uses
Generic Eskalith is used for the treatment of manic/depressive (bipolar) and depressive disorders. Manic-depressive illness is a condition in which a person's mood swings from depression to excessive excitement. A manic episode may involve some or all of the following symptoms:
- Aggressiveness
- Elation
- Fast, urgent talking
- Frenetic physical activity
- Grandiose, unrealistic ideas
- Hostility
- Little need for sleep
- Poor judgment
Once the mania subsides, Generic Eskalith treatment may be continued over the long term, at a somewhat lower dosage, to prevent or reduce the intensity of future manic episodes.
Some doctors also prescribe lithium for premenstrual tension, eating disorders such as bulimia, certain movement disorders, and sexual addictions.
Generic Eskalith is a positively charged element or particle that is similar to sodium and potassium. It interferes at several places inside cells and on the cell surface with other positively charged atoms such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, which are important in many cellular functions.
Generic Eskalith interferes with the synthesis and reuptake of chemical messengers by which nerves communicate with each other (neurotransmitters). Generic Eskalith also affects the concentrations of tryptophan and serotonin in the brain. In addition, lithium increases the production of white blood cells in the bone marrow. Eskalith's effects usually begin within one week of starting treatment, and the full effect is seen by 2 to 3 weeks.
Working Mechanism of Generic Eskalith
It is not really known how Generic Eskalith works. Generic Eskalith may alter the way that nerve cells respond to some of the chemicals that pass messages between them. However, Generic Eskalith is known that it is a very effective medicine.
Generic Eskalith Dose
Generic Eskalith is taken as a single dose at night - this is more convenient and reduces the problems with some of the side effects.
When initiating therapy with immediate release or controlled release lithium, dosage must be individualized according to serum levels and clinical response.
Missed Dose of Generic Eskalith
Take the missed dose of Eskalith as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose of Eskalith, skip the missed dose and only take your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose.
Excess Dose of Generic Eskalith
If you suspect symptoms of an overdose of Eskalith, seek medical attention immediately.
If the Generic Eskalith level gets too high, it can be potentially dangerous and will produce some severe and unpleasant effects - this is what is often called 'lithium toxicity'.
The warning signs of this are:
- lack of appetite
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- blurred vision.
Diarrhea and vomiting can make things worse by causing loss of body fluid that concentrates the blood, increasing the lithium level.
More severe Eskalith excess can lead to:
- a marked tremor (shakiness)
- unsteadiness
- slurred speech
- drowsiness
- confusion.
As the level gets even higher the person may experience:
- muscle twitches
- more severe drowsiness and confusion
- fits
- unconsciousness.
If anyone on Generic Eskalith starts to experience any of these symptoms - even the mild ones - it is essential they see a doctor immediately.
Similarly, if a person taking lithium develops any illness that causes vomiting or diarrhea, stops them from eating or drinking normally, or develops a fever that leads to excessive sweating, they should see a doctor straight away because dehydration can increase the level of Generic Eskalith in the blood.
Other medicines can also affect the level of Generic Eskalith; it is essential to always tell any doctor or pharmacist that you are taking Eskalith before you buy, or are prescribed, any other medicines.
However, most people on Eskalith do not have problems with toxicity.
Conditions for Storage of Generic Eskalith
Store Eskalith at room temperature.
Potencies of Generic Eskalith
Eskalith Tablets : Eskalith 300 mg
Food and Drug Interactions with Generic Eskalith
Before taking Eskalith, tell your doctor if you are taking any other medications, especially any of the following:
- haloperidol (Haldol);
- a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), ketoprofen (Orudis, Oruvail, Orudis KT), naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), indomethacin (Indocin), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), nabumetone (Relafen), and others;
- a diuretic (water pill) such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, others), furosemide (Lasix), triamterene (Dyazide, Dyrenium, Maxzide), chlorothiazide (Diuril), metolazone (Mykrox, Zaroxolyn), indapamide (Lozol), bumetanide (Bumex), spironolactone (Aldactone), and amiloride (Midamor);
- an angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor (ACE inhibitor) such as benazepril (Lotensin), lisinopril (Zestril, Prinivil), fosinopril (Monopril), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), moexipril (Univasc), quinapril (Accupril), and ramipril (Altace);
- the calcium channel blockers diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor XR) or verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan);
- a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) such as fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil), or citalopram (Celexa);
- carbamazepine (Tegretol);
- metronidazole (Flagyl);
- theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theo-Bid, Theolair, Elixophyllin, Slo-Phyllin, others); or
- acetazolamide (Diamox).
Contraindications with Generic Eskalith
Generic Eskalith should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
There is some evidence for Eskalith medication causing abnormalities in babies whose mothers have been taking it while they are pregnant.
Clearly, Generic Eskalith is best avoided in pregnancy. Anyone taking Eskalith, who is considering getting pregnant, must discuss with their doctor the risks involved in staying on the drug versus the risks to their own health in stopping it.
Generic Eskalith gets into breast milk in quite high concentrations; therefore mothers taking it should bottle-feed their babies.
Precautions with Generic Eskalith
- The ability to tolerate Eskalith is greater during the acute manic phase and decreases when manic symptoms subside
- Before taking Eskalith, tell your doctor if you
- have kidney disease;
- have heart disease; or
- have thyroid problems.
- Previously existing underlying thyroid disorders do not necessarily constitute a contraindication to Eskalith treatment, where hypothyroidism exists, careful monitoring of thyroid function during lithium stabilization and maintenance allows for correction of changing thyroid parameters, if any; where hypothyroidism occurs during lithium stabilization and maintenance, supplemental thyroid treatment may be used.
Adverse Effects of Generic Eskalith
The common side effects that people may notice when they start lithium are:
- dry mouth
- a metallic taste
- a slight shakiness
- a feeling of mild weakness
- some bowel looseness (diarrhea).
These usually settle as your body adapts to the medication.
After taking Eskalith for some time, the following may be noticed:
- weight gain.
- passing urine more often and needing to drink more than usual. If this happens, you should tell your the doctor.
- swollen ankles due to water retention.
- the thyroid gland may become under active.
Occasionally, some people feel that they get mild memory problems due to lithium. It is possible that this is due to the mental illness itself, but the Eskalith may sometimes be responsible.
These problems generally disappear if lithium is reduced or stopped. If they occur, your doctor will be able to advise how they should be handled.
Less commonly, when a person has been taking Eskalith for some time it can cause the thyroid gland to become under active. This can lead to symptoms such as:
- a lack of energy
- feeling the cold more
- weight gain
- feeling depressed.
It is important to know what a person's thyroid level is like prior to starting Eskalith; any change due to the treatment can then be picked up right away and corrected before it causes problems.
Thyroid levels need to be checked every six months. The test can be done on the same sample that is taken for the Eskalith level, so there is normally no need for any extra blood to be taken.
