Is weight gain a common side effect of lithium?

I have been on lithium for over a year now and i really think it is working well. I have not had any weight gain experience, in fact i have lost 20 pds. since i went on it after being on Abilify. However, when I first started taking it, within 2 hours, my vision was blurry. I was started on a standard adult dose of 900mg once a day. my daughter had been on lithium, and she got toxic once and had to have IV's. Your lithium level should be between .5 and never over 1.0!!! because i didn't have the same side effect as my daughter, i did not realize i was at a toxic level. I was toxic for 7 days before the lab caught it. My lithium level was 1.8!!! Lithium is an old drug from the 1950's and is very good, but you must know the side effects that could occur if your level is too high. If you experience any toxic symptoms go directly to the ER. The biggest issues with lithium is that one, stay hydrated...

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you must drink alot of water when on this drug, especially if you are going to be in warm temperatures or in the sun. The second is whenever a Dr. prescibes any new med. for any reason, it is very important you let him know you are on lithium! lithium has some severe drug interactions. If you feel toxic side effect, start drinking water. Water dilutes the lithium concentration in your body. When you get dehydrated, the lithium becomes stronger in the blood. hope this helps, hope i didn't scare you away from it, give it a try! keep us posted.