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Is Lithium An Appropriate Medication For Schizophrenia Disorder?
Question: Does lithium help schizophrenia disorder or situations that could be schizophrenia or bi polar or a mix of both and is lithium compatible with abilify or/and sariquil
Brief Answer:
Not schizophrenia but the bipolar and schizoaffective disorder
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Lithium has no role in the treatment of schizophrenia except a few select conditions such as treatment-resistant schizophrenia (there are few studies showing some effect of lithium on schizophrenia as augmenting medication).
However, lithium is well indicated for the treatment of bipolar disorder as well as schizoaffective disorder (a combination of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder).
Regarding compatibility with ability and seroquel, there are no adverse data in this regard and both can be used with lithium when necessary.
I hope this helps you.
Feel free to write back to me if you have more questions.
Regards,
Dr. Ashok Kumar, Psychiatrist
Not schizophrenia but the bipolar and schizoaffective disorder
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Lithium has no role in the treatment of schizophrenia except a few select conditions such as treatment-resistant schizophrenia (there are few studies showing some effect of lithium on schizophrenia as augmenting medication).
However, lithium is well indicated for the treatment of bipolar disorder as well as schizoaffective disorder (a combination of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder).
Regarding compatibility with ability and seroquel, there are no adverse data in this regard and both can be used with lithium when necessary.
I hope this helps you.
Feel free to write back to me if you have more questions.
Regards,
Dr. Ashok Kumar, Psychiatrist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
For a patient that has been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and currently taking abilify and in good physical health, and a 24 year old, 180 pound male, what would be a starting dosage level of lithium? How long a time frame and at what rate would the dosage be increased. There are a couple different formulations available without prescription requirement. Is one formulation any better than another?
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Your question requires the opinion of a doctor who is prescribing the lithium as lithium is never safe without the supervision of a doctor. Even if it available without prescription my recommendation is to follow your doctor.
Generally, after ruling out thyroid, renal and other routine problems associated with lithium use, most psychiatrists prescribe 400 mg thrice a day and check the level after one week. Depending on the level achieved the further action is taken. It is important to check the serum lithium level after a week if the dose is changed due to any reason.
Generally, extended-release formulations are better tolerated and can be considered better over the immediate release formulations.
Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
Regards,
Dr. Ashok Kumar, Psychiatrist
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Your question requires the opinion of a doctor who is prescribing the lithium as lithium is never safe without the supervision of a doctor. Even if it available without prescription my recommendation is to follow your doctor.
Generally, after ruling out thyroid, renal and other routine problems associated with lithium use, most psychiatrists prescribe 400 mg thrice a day and check the level after one week. Depending on the level achieved the further action is taken. It is important to check the serum lithium level after a week if the dose is changed due to any reason.
Generally, extended-release formulations are better tolerated and can be considered better over the immediate release formulations.
Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
Regards,
Dr. Ashok Kumar, Psychiatrist
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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