ANTACIDS AND LITHIUM
The ingestion of marked amounts of sodium can prevent the establishment or maintenance of adequate serum lithium levels.
Warn patients not to take non-prescription antacids or urinary alkalinisers without first seeking informed advice. Sodium bicarbonate comes in various guises and disguises e.g. Alka-Seltzer (55.8%), Andrews Salts (22.6%), Eno (46.4%), Jaap's Health Salts (21.3%), or Peptac (28.8%). Substantial amounts of sodium also occur in some urinary alkalinising agents (e.g. Citralka, Citravescent). An antacid containing aluminium/magnesium hydroxide with simeticone has been found to have no effect on the bioavailability of lithium carbonate, and so antacids of this type may be suitable alternatives.
Warn patients not to take non-prescription antacids or urinary alkalinisers without first seeking informed advice. Sodium bicarbonate comes in various guises and disguises e.g. Alka-Seltzer (55.8%), Andrews Salts (22.6%), Eno (46.4%), Jaap's Health Salts (21.3%), or Peptac (28.8%). Substantial amounts of sodium also occur in some urinary alkalinising agents (e.g. Citralka, Citravescent). An antacid containing aluminium/magnesium hydroxide with simeticone has been found to have no effect on the bioavailability of lithium carbonate, and so antacids of this type may be suitable alternatives.