I had been taking Lithium for 3 years 450mg twice a day. I stopped during my pregnancy, then 2 months after my sons birth I was put back on starting at 450mg twice daily. After about 7 months I was then raised to 900mg twice daily. I found this odd being as I am only 5' 110lbs. I was having digestive problems (diarrhea), dizzy spells, black outs, kidney and liver problems. Among a few other things. I was told that I can file a lawsuit against the company who makes it. Does anyone know if this is true.
Possible Lithium Lawsuit?
Question posted by mommab2924 on 31 Aug 2011
Last updated on 29 March 2018
6 Answers
Joshua Hebert
29 March 2018
Yes I've been on that same medication experienced a lot of the side effects as well and it stopped me from being able to work back offshore I missed out on so much money being required yt? o take these toxic psy meds I would gave have many acres of land in my name paid off with a mansion house by now had I not been forced to take these medications for mental disability in my opnion its toxic to the body and basically a slow death and when I refuse to take the meds in the last hospital I went to I was told they won't release me until I take the pills ! Now its been almost a year I've been off all medications on my own accord and never felt more alive alert and aware of my surroundings and more keen and fast sim0me balanced diet proper sleep and yoga and meditation not
jharby
2 Nov 2017
They stuck me on Lithium for many years - some bogus diagnosis by JOHN FEIGHNER of the Feighner Research institute. I am suing them for sure.
jharby
2 Nov 2017
Now I have CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE - these PSYCHIATRISTS are IDIOTS
A DOCTOR NICHOLAS PUTNAM on the ANTHEM panel was also prescribing a bunch of junk.
I AM SUING HIM TOO.
WildcatVet
29 March 2018
I've taken lithium for over 10 years with no side effects. As I've said previously you can't sue for side effects that have been disclosed to you. Prescription inserts list all known side effects... it's up to you to follow up as directed.
WildcatVet
23 Oct 2017
You can sue if known side effects were not disclosed. A product insert dispensed with every prescription reports all known side effects.
At best, you might have grounds against the prescribing doctor IF she/he didn't perform adequate follow-up studies and blood work.
Caraward1989
23 Oct 2017
so file against the doctor not the company and what about the added side effects that i endured. i have vertigo that is not going away for a year or more plus a head injury due to the vertigo so do i still sue doctor or the medicine and for years it was thought that i was to have physios which may now completely factor our and was a side effect of lithium itself to hallucinate
Randi-02
8 Feb 2017
I became toxic from Lithium and was hospitalized
silmarien
3 Sep 2011
It is true you can sue the manufacturer, but since Lithium is no longer a Brand drug (it is a very old medication), you'd have better luck suing the doctor who prescribed it for malpractice. I'd consult with an attorney who specializes in medical malpractice.
However, usually a person has to have suffered serious side-effects (like life-threatening, heart attack, stroke, birth defects, etc) for you to have a good case. But you could claim pain and suffering, which could be a valid legal reason to bring suit against the doctor.
I'd suggest stopping the drug (tapering off, though usually Lithium is safe to stop cold-turkey) if it's causing so many bad side-effects. I'd also find a new doctor, since the one who prescribed you 1800mg of Lithium per day (that's a pretty high dose, especially for your body weight and height). I understand that blood levels are what count, though, and perhaps your metabolism is very high and is preventing your Lithium levels from reaching whatever your doctor sees as high enough. But, I've seen women taller than you and much heavier put on doses in the 900mg/daily range.
There are also different forms of Lithium. Are you taking Lithium Citrate, Lithium Ororate, Lithium Carbonate, or Lithium Sulfate? It might be a good idea to try switching to the Lithium Ororate version, as it's said to be "safer" and have fewer side-effects.
But I agree that 1800mg per day, unless you have out of control manic episodes, is rather excessive given your height/weight.
WorriedWife39
22 June 2012
well i have another question??? My husband was in forster care and they put him in a grope home for boys they ended up putting him on this drug lithium he was around 15 years old well they ended up giving him 1200 mg. a day of this drug well he got off the drug around the age of 18 19 years old well through the years we seen signs of depresion but never realy thought about it and he has also thought about suicide well about 7 to 8 months ago he started getting a twitch with his hand and he has had several other problems well he went to the Dr.
and they done some test and found out he has parkinsons disease and no none of his family has had this disease wel he stared telll about some med.I had been on in the past and that when we was told he has this because of the lithium he had took 20 years ago that this is one of the side effects now he is going to have to live his life with this disease he was a minor and he was under goverment care and they gave him this meds just so they wouldn't have to deal with him so you telll me who should be responsable for this please i need to know what and who do i need to talk to when it has to to with making some one pay for this
artsue34
1 April 2017
I was on Lithium Carbonate for 27 years due to being Bio-Polar. The Navy put me on this medication. My blood work was done every 3 months until 8 years ago when hey saw my kidney functions were getting bad. I am now on Valproic Acid. now have stage 4 kidney disease because of the Lithium. A friend tonight suggested I contact Malpractice Attorney. I called an after hour one and will get a call back Monday morning. My life has completely changed for the worse and hope not to go on Dialysis. I truly believe people knew that Lit as bad right from the start!!! Has anyone else sued over this?
Wendypops
29 Sep 2017
I'm in UK here and all of this rings true. I took Lithium Carbonate for well over 25 years and and now at aged 61 have suddenly had two very frightening hospitalised kidney crashes. Off Lithium completely now, diagnosed kidney disease stage 4 and feel a dreadful no hoper. Found out my lithium 3 monthly blood tests showed kidney decline for last 2 years or more but no one told me as still considered safe. Nightmare all round. Any advice if any help or comeback available please?
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Further information
- Lithium uses and safety info
- Lithium prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lithium (detailed)
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