can u take lithium with methadone?

Answer 1

I can understand the need for both meds, but only your psychiatrist can answer the question. I am assuming you self-medicated with heroin to bring you down outta space, and now you need the actual chemical to be grounded (since you appear to be trying to kick the habit).
Ask your doc. It gets better....or, at least, it gets Real.

Answer 2

In my experience as a nurse, Lithium is a highly toxic drug that when not taken as prescribe it could cause multiple organ failure. All drugs interact. Some drugs increase potency of other drugs while some decrease the potency and promote more pronounced adverse reactions. I used the words "more pronounced" because all drugs by nature cause adverse reactions, however, doctors are knowledgeable enough to prescribe doses and duration that will not cause adverse reactions of any drug.

In my experience, methadone had been given to patients with severe pain or to those with opiod withdrawal symptoms while Lithium is a cental nervous system drug. Adverse reaction common to both drugs is seizures, heart problems, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, renal toxicity, and ankle and wrist edema and renal toxicity with long-term use. If these adverse reactions are COMMON to both, then a person taking both drugs together is at high risk for these reactions which could be fatal if unregulated properly. However, it depends on the diagnosis. I have encountered a patient who was prescribed of these drugs together because HE REALLY NEEDED IT TOGETHER.. however, because he is inside the hospital.. lithium levels and methadone levels in his blood could be monitored daily and his cardiac and renal status could also be closely monitored so that early signs of lithium or methadone toxicity could be reversed.

If your doctor prescribed these meds for you.. Just remember that lithium has a narrow therapeutic margin of safety. A level that's even slightly high can be dangerous so never increase or decrease your PRESCRIBED lithium doses. Also expect transient nausea, large amounts of urine, thrist, and discomfort during the first few days which is nomal. However, if you develop tremors, drowsiness, musle weakness and incoordination, wthhold one dose and call your prescriber because these are signs of lithium toxicity. Also avoid driving while on lithium and do not stop drug abruptly if no toxicity is observed. One thing more.. do not switch brands of lithium. Only take the prescribed lithium brand given.

As long as your doctor prescribed those and you follow accurately your doctor's dosing of the drugs, im sure that you will be fine. ^_^ Increase your fluid intake which could help flush residual drugs from your body to avoid toxicity. And watch out for those toxicity symptoms i mentioned.

please see you doctor first.. God bless.. ^_^

Answer 3

You're asking this in THIS forum instead of asking your doctor?
Or are you seeing two different doctors and you failed to tell the one what the other ordered.
PLEEZEEEEEEEEE - Check with your physician!!
Isn't your health worth an accurate answer from a professional?

Answer 4

I agree with other responses. It's unsafe for you to check such a question in this kind of forum. Check with your REAL doctor or pharmacist.

Answer 5

I would ask the person you are getting the lithium from

Answer 6

ask the MDs who prescribe either drug in question