lithium availability? - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

kayte04 · 10-16-2005, 09:23 PM

I'll try to make this short. 2 months ago I started on Eskalith but took myself off due to constipation and severe hand shakes. 2 days ago my doc put me on a lower dose of Lithobid but my pharmacy didn't have it and said noone in their chain has it (30+ stores in the city). I went to 3 other pharmacies before one finally called around for me and located one of their chains that had enough in stock for a month. I went ahead and got it but am concerned that I'm going to get started on this and then it will not be available. Has anyone else had a problem with this? I have another apt on Wednesday in the building my pdoc is in and am going to talk to the girls in the office to see if they know of others having this problem. What do you think?

Ruth6:11 · 10-17-2005, 06:40 AM

Ask your doctor if he can prescribe plain old "lithium carbonate". It comes in tablets and/or capsules 300 mg ea (others available but this is standard).
Lithium is actually on the Table of Elements along with hydrogen & oxygen so you shouldn't be having these problems if you have been prescribed lithium. (He may not be marking that "generic" is ok also)
Good luck! I've been on lithium carbonate for 20 yrs with real success in eliminating the manias and deep dark depressions...

kayte04 · 10-17-2005, 11:05 AM

actually, I think the problem is that I'm on medicaid which requires generic. Perhaps I need to see about getting the doc to prescrive as brand necessary?

batmatic · 10-17-2005, 07:00 PM

It is highly unusual for pharmacies not to have lithium, not just in the generic
brand but in it's onther forms such as Lithobid. Very odd.
've taken lithobid for 11 yr and never encountered this problem.

If the pharmacy is one you intend to use, ask them to keep a supply on hand
and usually they will do so.

Ruth6:11 · 10-18-2005, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kayte04

actually, I think the problem is that I'm on medicaid which requires generic. Perhaps I need to see about getting the doc to prescrive as brand necessary?

Yep, that would probably do it!