Lithium- Different Manufacturer

[ahalo]

Is it possible that the manufacturer of Lithium can make a difference? I'm asking because when I started Lithium for the first 2 1/2 weeks I had white pills. No side effects whatsoever and that included a week at my 1200 mg dose. This week I got a refill and picked up from a different pharmacy. The Lithium pills are a bit smaller and are pink&white. Maybe I'm just starting to feel effects because of how long I've been on it, and it's still nothing too problematic-- loose stools, a little looser than before. And a bit of brain dead feeling. I don't have anything else not even the peeing more so yay me. But am just wondering if it could be the change in manufacturer or if maybe I'm even coming down with something. Tis the season you know.

Thank you.

[AnneMarie]

Most likely the brain dead feeling is the Lithium taking effect. Li usually takes a week or two after getting into the therapeutic range to start working. This effect tends to lesson with time.

The looser stools are probably related to time, not so much the different manufacturer. Manufacturer differences are not really known to cause problems to the best of my knowledge. What can have a real effect is switching from extended release to immediate release. In general, the extended release is easier on gastro-intestinal issues. If you are on the IR, you might ask about the ER next time you see your pdoc.

[ahalo]

Thank you! I know the manufacturer with clonazepam can make a difference so I wasn't sure if it could with this too. The brain dead feeling is a little weird but I do feel calm overall which is unusual. And my life circumstances right now might be depressing to the average person but I'm able to think about other things which is different, I usually fixate and cry a lot, in times that weren't even as bad as this. I think I'll get used to feeling like this it's just weird.

Most likely the brain dead feeling is the Lithium taking effect. Li usually takes a week or two after getting into the therapeutic range to start working. This effect tends to lesson with time.

The looser stools are probably related to time, not so much the different manufacturer. Manufacturer differences are not really known to cause problems to the best of my knowledge. What can have a real effect is switching from extended release to immediate release. In general, the extended release is easier on gastro-intestinal issues. If you are on the IR, you might ask about the ER next time you see your pdoc.

[Velvet Elvis]

Lithium is a pretty damn simple drug. It's a stretch to even call it a drug. It's a mineral salt. Lithium carbonate is lithium, carbon, and oxygen, Li₂CO₃.

[SashaSue]

Actually, lithium is the only med I've ever had an issue with different brands with. Generics can vary 10%, I think it is, in potency from brands, which means they can also vary amongst one another. So, if the new side effects coincided with the different brand, I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss it as a possible cause.

Also, if you've stopped peeing a lot, I can't help wondering if you're still drinking enough water? If not, that could also raise your lithium level.

[Velvet Elvis]

I don't see how there could be much variation unless it's a variation in dose that could be compensated for by raising or lowering your dose. Problems with the binding agents are also possible, causing problems with absorption.

[crazynotstupid]

Generics are allowed to vary +-20% from the patented formula. Of course how this pertains to lithium I have no idea. But along with what VE said, and this has been noted anecdotally with other meds, the "other stuff" thrown in seems to have various effects on people. Or can. Or might. Who knows what weird shit they throw in there.

[AnneMarie]

Lithium effects, therapeutic and otherwise, tend to become more pronounced over the first few weeks. I'm inclined to suspect this more than a change in med unless the switch was from ER to IR.

[SashaSue]

Generics are allowed to vary +-20% from the patented formula. Of course how this pertains to lithium I have no idea. But along with what VE said, and this has been noted anecdotally with other meds, the "other stuff" thrown in seems to have various effects on people. Or can. Or might. Who knows what weird shit they throw in there.

Given the relatively narrow therapeutic window with lithium, I can see how relatively minor changes might create issues for some people.

[crazynotstupid]

Generics are allowed to vary +-20% from the patented formula. Of course how this pertains to lithium I have no idea. But along with what VE said, and this has been noted anecdotally with other meds, the "other stuff" thrown in seems to have various effects on people. Or can. Or might. Who knows what weird shit they throw in there.

Given the relatively narrow therapeutic window with lithium, I can see how relatively minor changes might create issues for some people.

That's a good point, I didn't even think how much +- 20% can mean when you're talking like say 900 mg doses.

[Guest]

Generics are allowed to vary +-20% from the patented formula. Of course how this pertains to lithium I have no idea. But along with what VE said, and this has been noted anecdotally with other meds, the "other stuff" thrown in seems to have various effects on people. Or can. Or might. Who knows what weird shit they throw in there.

Given the relatively narrow therapeutic window with lithium, I can see how relatively minor changes might create issues for some people.

That's a good point, I didn't even think how much +- 20% can mean when you're talking like say 900 mg doses.

I had a think about that, 20% is a lot more when you are switching from something that could have been negative in the first place.

Given one brand could be at 720mg (The low end of 20%) and another at 1080mg (The high end) and according to the specs neither is wrong.

Not to say it will happen, I would hope most manufacturers can hit the right dosage, Just to think about the numbers is a bit scary. More reason to stay on the one brand I guess.

[ahalo]

I drink as much as always. I pee a lot in the night, and did before I even started lithium. That was checked out and never got any diagnosis or anything. But I don't pee or drink any less. The stool are back to normal. I'm still feeling a bit tired but not as bad the last day or two. So I'm getting used to it. I am not an expert but I do think these pills are different. The ones I got at first were the super generics and these are from an super expensive pharmacy (I got approved for my meds to be paid for by the county since I have a bipolar dx). But I am happy to say the new side effects are dissipating. Just have very vivid dreams with Lithium from the start.

Should I be concerned that I'm not peeing all day lol. I go to the bathroom a LOT during the night and retain during the day. Was checked out for diabetes and stuff and that was negative. Just some weird fluke with me. I need to find the form so I can get the lithium level in my blood checked. Moved and don't know what I did with the form :X

[Velvet Elvis]

Generics are allowed to vary +-20% from the patented formula. Of course how this pertains to lithium I have no idea. But along with what VE said, and this has been noted anecdotally with other meds, the "other stuff" thrown in seems to have various effects on people. Or can. Or might. Who knows what weird shit they throw in there.

Given the relatively narrow therapeutic window with lithium, I can see how relatively minor changes might create issues for some people.

That's a good point, I didn't even think how much +- 20% can mean when you're talking like say 900 mg doses.

The difference isn't in dose, but in bioequivilance. That means purity pretty much. Since lithium carbonate is such a simple compound I don't see how they could fuck it up with sloppy manufacturing. It's in the groundwater in several places.

[nibblerd]

The only other thing I can think of, is the composition of the capsules themselves. May be gelatin, may be something else.. but that would only be a problem for someone who was intolerant of the material.