Suggest Treatment For Bi-polar Disorder

Posted on Sat, 22 Mar 2014

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

Sat, 22 Mar 2014 Answered on

Mon, 7 Apr 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I am diagnosed Bi-polar NOS. I am currently having bad mood swings and won't be able to see my psychiatrist until Thursday. I am on 450 mg of Lithium ER and was wondering if it's okay if I cut one in half and take it to alleviate my bad moods. I have been on it for nearly 2 months now.

Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Dose readjustment and serum monitoring Detailed Answer: Thank you for asking! Bipolar disorders are a challenging one and one needs to combat them from every point of view. Now the lithium usually can be taken up to 1800 mg a day for bipolar disorders in extended releases and up to 2400 mg in instant ones. The reason for your low doses is because you have just started and it is a standard procedure to start on low doses to avoid adverse effects. Now the reason you have been having mood swings and bad moods is because lithium needs a constant dose readjustments many a times before they get in relieving symptoms and synchronise. That is why a continuous serum levels are monitored 12 hours after the dose twice in a week to re adjust and modify. One can take the recommended dose in parts 6 hourly or 8 hourly or 12 hourly so yes you can divide the 450 mg lithium into two or three or four and take them 12 hourly, 8 hourly and 6 hourly respectively.But the dose should not reach more than 450 for you as prescribed by your psychiatrist. Once you meet him/her, then discuss the serum monitoring and dose readjustments there. I hope it helps.Dont forget to close the discussion please. May the odds be ever in your favour. S Khan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar