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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Does Lithium (taken For Bipolar Disorder) Cause Gives A Foggy Head?

I have bipolar disorder and my doctor is going to put me on Lithium. I am really scared that this medication will make me like a robot as patients when I was in hospital said it makes them have a very foggy head? should I ask to be put onto some other medication. I am currently taking Efexor, zyprexa and was taking also tegretol but was not thinking clearly and stopped taking this medication with very bad reaction. I am just scared to take Lithium in case it stops me being me.
Mon, 6 Jan 2014
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Addiction Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Hi,

Lithium is a safe and very effective medicine when taken correctly. It may cause some sedation but that can be taken care of by shifting the entire dose to night time. It is unlikely to give you a foggy head and will not you from being you. A few patients feel some slowing of their cognitive ability but most do not. I guess the patients who told you about lithium giving a foggy head were also on other medicines which are more likely than lithium to cause such side effects. In my opinion, you should try lithium and then only decide if it suits you or not.

Hope this helps you. Best wishes.

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Does Lithium (taken For Bipolar Disorder) Cause Gives A Foggy Head?

Hi, Lithium is a safe and very effective medicine when taken correctly. It may cause some sedation but that can be taken care of by shifting the entire dose to night time. It is unlikely to give you a foggy head and will not you from being you. A few patients feel some slowing of their cognitive ability but most do not. I guess the patients who told you about lithium giving a foggy head were also on other medicines which are more likely than lithium to cause such side effects. In my opinion, you should try lithium and then only decide if it suits you or not. Hope this helps you. Best wishes.