Posted by SLS on September 24, 2004, at 23:08:59
In reply to Does lithium increase fluoxetine level??, posted by sac on September 24, 2004, at 21:35:25
> Hi, I recently started lithium (Eskalith CR) 450mg. at a low dose to stabilize my bipolar II. I must be having a strange reaction because, while it definately has helped to boost my mood, I am unusually overactive. I also take 20 mgs. fluoxetine. I'm wondering if the lithium is increasing the blood level of the ssri. I once became manic when I was on 40mgs. prozac/day and I sort of feel that same sense of akathisia/overactivity. Any ideas?? Thanks.
SSRI + lithium has been known to produce serotonin syndrome, a state of serotonergic overload that might account for the induction of manic-like symptoms. It might even be an induction of mania in the absence of serotonin syndrome. I would speak to your doctor and determine how much time to give what you are experiencing to resolve on its own. It might be nothing serious. In the meantime, you might want to take your body temperature and make sure that it is not too high. Hyperpyrexia (high temperature) is one of the more serious symptoms of the syndrome.In the case that you are becoming manic in the absence of serotonin syndrome, does it make sense to treat the mania with another medication? Has your depression been resistent to all other treatments?
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:394736
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040921/msgs/394760.html