december_brigette Posted May 13, 2006 Share Posted May 13, 2006 Hi All, Lithium users know we are not supposed to take NSAIDS (advil). So say our pdocs & the leaflets that come with the meds from the pharmacy. I get headaches maybe once every 2 weeks. And most times I just take tylenol. But this is worse. This feels like my brain is twisting itself into a knot in my head. So I took some advil. I didnt really feel like there was any other choice. Prior to lithium, I used to take advil all the time. I know NSAIDS can mess up the lithium serum levels. and I know this is different for everyone who is on lithium. and i didnt feel like looking though the 19 pages on this thread to see if someone has talked about it before. any lithium users - let me know what you have done. I know we are all different and have different serum levels. But this is the only group I have to discuss such things. thanks!!!! december Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sepia Posted May 13, 2006 Share Posted May 13, 2006 My pharmacist is of the opinion that once in a while is fine. Regular or repeated (more than 2 consecutive doses) is contraindicated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsloony Posted May 13, 2006 Share Posted May 13, 2006 I discussed this with my regular doc because occasional migraine where tylenol won't come close. He told me if i needed to take the advil that i should get a lithium level done the next day. ( but that i should try to avoid this- which so far i have. i guess the risk is in how the lithium is metabolized and that with the nsaid you would be more likely to become toxic on the lithium. definately ask your doc and pharmacist. i believe there is one nsaid less likely to have this problem i think it was called clinoril. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vunja Posted May 13, 2006 Share Posted May 13, 2006 I don't mean to give you any ideas, and of course we're all different, but. while on Lithium, I ODed several times on NSAIDs (fully aware of the possible outcomes but either not caring or twisting them for my suicidal-state "benefit") and I have yet to notice any bad effects from it. I was on a very low dose of Lithium, but. I'm sure a once in a while thing wouldn't be too bad, just don't make a habit of it. I have yet to die after ODing so many times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dee Posted May 13, 2006 Share Posted May 13, 2006 My pdoc said I could take it occasionally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazynotstupid Posted May 13, 2006 Share Posted May 13, 2006 Ues, I see no problem with occasional use; I'd figure it would be regular, nearly everyday use that'd cause your kidneys to stop and say "Whoa, you two, i can only handle so much; one'a you has to stay" and that's where the toxicity would come in. Don't quote me, but really, it seems logical that the only problems you'd see with lith toxicity would be from the longer term--days or weeks of too much lith being stuck in your body. Something that you wouldn't see happening with the occasional popping of Advil. FWIW, when I have really bad pain (as with my recent tooth troubles), I take two Tylenol and two aspirin. This usually does the trick, and hell, for me it works better than even hydrocodone, which doesn't do shit for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirMarshall Posted May 14, 2006 Share Posted May 14, 2006 A couple technical points. Lithium actually is not metabolized, but merely removed from the blood into the urine by the kidneys (yeah I say it too). Second, the effect of NSAIDS is to reduce Lithium clearance causing it to build up in the blood. Like everything else your mileage may vary. Probably the first thing to consider is what is your lithium blood level. The closer to the top end of the range, the less your safety margin. Next, how does your body react to upsets like getting dehydrated from heat, exercise, illness? If you tend to go toxic easily then again your safety margin may be smaller. The real expert to ask is your Pdoc. I get common (non aura) migraines as well as severe sinus allergy pain. I use Motrin, ibuprofen and Aleve, naprosyn, fairly regularly, though I try to minimize their use. Motrin I use more often, typically 3 tabs, 600mg, may repeat once or rarely twice in a day. The aleve pretty much follows the label, 1 tab rarely 2 in 24 hrs. I haven't had any adverse reactions from the NSAIDS, nor from my lithium, and my level is at the low end around 0.80. Not advocating taking higher than label doses, or risks with lithium. a.m. May your pain be gone... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
december_brigette Posted May 14, 2006 Author Share Posted May 14, 2006 Hi All, Thank you so much for your replies. Yes, the headache went away!! Genetically I know my kidneys & liver are what will kill me. I just dont want to die because of lithium toxcity in my parent's living room watching one of the various CSI episodes. Hopefully tylenol will work in the future. I am very appreciative for all your posts. december Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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