Question:
My pdoc told me not to take ibuprofen, saying that it would raise the level of lithium in my blood. Is that so? Why is that? Does this apply to aspirin too?
Asprin is okay (tylenol, too) as re: altering blood levels of lithium. The NSAID’s (motrin, advil, aleve, ibuprophen etc.) affect the blood flow thru the kidney, thus filtration of drugs excreted by renals. If asprin is contraindicated for you, lithium dosage can be carefully titrated (thru frequent blood tests) so that the level in your system is a therapuetic range and not overdose–which is most nasty. Obviously, you need to speak with your internist (general doc) and psychiatrist regarding your specific health concerns. I take alot (and daily) of NSAID drugs for lupus and did when I was still on lithium. But too me, depakote works better and not all the blood work required. regards, julie
Response:
I always take Tylenol, instead….just to be safe. Comola "Outside of a dog, a book is probably man’s best friend, and inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read." — Groucho Marx.
Response:
Here is the PDR stuff: Drug Information PDR
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