You will need blood tests every two or three months so that your daily dose of lithium can be decided. If the lithium level in your blood stream gets too high you will notice shakes and twitches, weakness, sleepiness, stomach cramps, slurred speech, loss of appetite and vomiting. Contact your doctor or practice nurse straight away. Stop the medication if you can't contact your doctor. Other side effects include weight gain, skin rashes, an abnormal heart beat and thirst.
Some tremor is a common side effect also.
Tests for thyroid and kidney function will also be done to check for side effects of lithium. Some other medicines cannot be taken with lithium, your doctor will advise you. Other mood stabilising drugs carbamazepine can helps prevent mood swings. It may be taken with, or instead of, lithium sodium valproate may also be prescribed to reduce the severity and frequency of mood swings tranquillisers or anti-psychotic drugs may be given to calm you down and reduce the effects of mania. They are usually taken for a shorter period anti-depressant drugs can relieve the symptoms of depression.