Is Li Carbonate The Best Supplement To Work Together With Prozac To Alleviate My Depression?

Posted on Mon, 25 Jun 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 25 Jun 2018 Answered on

Mon, 27 Jun 2022 Last reviewed on

Question : For depression, where Prozak by itself does not work,
is Li carbonate the best supplement to work together with
Prozak to alleviate my depression?
What is the #1 side effect of using Li carbonate, when
I have depression but not bipolar disorder.
Is there a better supplement to work with Prozak so that
Prozak will start working again?

Answered by Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (56 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes it is one of the first line option

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Prozac is anti-depressant which works only in two third of individuals. When it does not work we have multiple options and adding lithium is one among them. The unipolar or bipolar depression does not change the side effect profile when lithium is used.

However the common side effects of lithium include metallic taste, change in bowel habits, nausea, vomiting, loose motions, abdominal pain, tremor among others.

The other safe alternative if use of Zyprexa or any other antipsychotic to augment the effect of Prozac. I must acknowledge that no option is superior to another and the choice depends on the patient profile rather than anything else.

I hope this answers you. Feel free to write back to me if you have more questions.
Thanks.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj