Lithium for Depression User Reviews (Page 3)
Brand names: Lithium Carbonate ER, Lithobid
Lithium has an average rating of 6.1 out of 10 from a total of 59 reviews for the off-label treatment of Depression. 51% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 37% reported a negative experience.
Reviews for Lithium
- Arnie
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- June 21, 2022
"MD prescribed 600mg lithium for anxiety and depression; that dose flattened me out and I felt like a zombie. So, I lowered the dose to 300mg. It doesn't help with depression (I've just started Cymbalta), but 300mg of lithium does help reduce my anxiety. It's a low dose, but I still have tremors from it, so my MD prescribed a beta-blocker, Propranolol, and it reduces tremors. But Propranolol can make depression worse. You really have to do your homework on medication."
- Anonymous
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- April 20, 2021
"I have been on lithium for 6 weeks currently 600mg but due to increase to 800mg this week, my depression is much decreased although I am tired most of the time, it has stopped my bipolar cycling. Slight hand tremor in the morning and some brain fog, I also take citalopram and diazepam for anxiety, so far so good."
Frequently asked questions
- Annem...
- Taken for 10 years or more
- August 23, 2021
"Lithium gives me headaches, it stops all the tears but gives headaches and causes your ears to plug in. It causes major sinus issues. It causes eating disorders as well. It's hard to loose weight and hard to use any emotion."
- lsrigg
- Taken for 10 years or more
- August 20, 2013
"Started Lithium in 1986. This has been my bedrock since then. In 2011 my doctor added Wellbutrin because I was sub-clinically depressed and felt stuck."
Are you taking this medicine?
- mad
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- August 14, 2020
"it’s been 6 weeks on lithium and I’m still depressed. This medication does absolutely nothing and I’m losing hope in life"
- Kyle...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- July 25, 2016
"Was on it for over a month. Made me extremely sad, much more than usual and caused some constant, very scary suicidal ideation. When I went off it I felt better, (as better as I can be), immediately."
- No Li...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- May 24, 2017
"At first I felt better but the then terrible weakness and tremors. Decided to get off but having unbearable anxiety. I was only on 600mg for two weeks and have dropped it to 300mg and soon to 150mg."
- TOPALE
- June 7, 2016
"it helped somewhat for my antidepressant to work"
- anon
- Taken for less than 1 month
- August 21, 2021
"It helps my depression and bipolar I recommend this medicine to anyone"
- Punkin
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- December 2, 2020
"I've been on 100 mg lithium twice a day for 4 months. My head is still buzzing in my ears also. What should I do, come off of it?"
- mian
- Taken for less than 1 month
- July 26, 2021
"For me this was a very dangerous drug. It must be tested once again. It is full of side effects."
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.
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Other brands
Lithobid, Eskalith, Eskalith-CR
Professional resources
- Lithium monograph
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- Lithium Capsules (FDA)
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- Lithium Carbonate ER Tablets (FDA)
"Lithium 150mg once a day. I did rid me of my suicidal thoughts It helped turn me into a raging nut! I was always pissed off. With an hour of taking the pill I was annoyed about something. So no I didn’t want to kill myself but didn't like everyone around me. I’m not sure what lithium does in your mind. I instantly gained 20lbs. I had an intolerable obsession and compulsion for sweets. It was like an addictive drug. Once I gave in and ate something sweet I couldn’t stop until it was gone. As soon as I stopped taking this medicine these urges and my extra weight went away. When I confronted my doctor about this issue they wanted to add more medications to my daily regimen. All I had to do was stop the medicine and I went back to normal. It was due to anti depressant that had me thinking about suicide in the first place. Pills don’t seems to be an answer all the time."