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Drug Interactions between Lithium Carbonate ER and Vanspar

This report displays the potential drug interactions for the following 2 drugs:

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Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

lithium busPIRone

Applies to: Lithium Carbonate ER (lithium) and Vanspar (buspirone)

MONITOR: Concomitant administration of lithium with serotonergic drugs (e.g., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, triptans (5-HT1 agonists), buspirone, fentanyl, St. John's wort, tramadol, tryptophan) or drugs that impair metabolism of serotonin (e.g., monoamine oxidase inhibitors) can precipitate serotonin syndrome, which is a rare but serious and potentially fatal condition thought to result from hyperstimulation of brainstem 5-HT1A and 2A receptors. Symptoms of the serotonin syndrome may include mental status changes such as irritability, altered consciousness, confusion, hallucination, and coma; autonomic dysfunction such as tachycardia, hyperthermia, diaphoresis, shivering, blood pressure lability, and mydriasis; neuromuscular abnormalities such as hyperreflexia, myoclonus, tremor, rigidity, and ataxia; and gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

MONITOR: Central nervous system (CNS) depressant effects may be additively or synergistically increased in patients taking multiple drugs that cause these effects, especially in elderly or debilitated patients. Sedation and impairment of attention, judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills may be potentiated.

MANAGEMENT: Close monitoring for potential serotonin toxicity and excessive CNS depression is advised when lithium is used with other serotonergic agents or monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Particular caution is advised when increasing the dosages of these agents. Patients should be counseled to avoid hazardous activities requiring mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them, and to notify their physician if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities. If serotonin syndrome develops or is suspected during the course of therapy, all serotonergic agents should be discontinued immediately and supportive care rendered as necessary. Moderately ill patients may also benefit from the administration of a serotonin antagonist (e.g., cyproheptadine, chlorpromazine). Severe cases should be managed under consultation with a toxicologist and may require sedation, neuromuscular paralysis, intubation, and mechanical ventilation in addition to the other measures.

References

  1. (2002) "Product Information. Lithobid (lithium)." Ciba-Geigy Pharmaceuticals
  2. Mills KC (1997) "Serotonin syndrome: A clinical update." Crit Care Clin, 13, p. 763
  3. Sobanski T, Bagli M, Laux G, Rao ML (1997) "Serotonin syndrome after lithium add-on medication to paroxetine." Pharmacopsychiatry, 30, p. 106-7
  4. Gardner DM, Lynd LD (1998) "Sumatriptan contraindications and the serotonin syndrome." Ann Pharmacother, 32, p. 33-8
  5. Mathew NT, Tietjen GE, Lucker C (1996) "Serotonin syndrome complicating migraine pharmacotherapy." Cephalalgia, 16, p. 323-7
  6. Martin TG (1996) "Serotonin syndrome." Ann Emerg Med, 28, p. 520-6
  7. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
  8. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
  9. Cerner Multum, Inc. (2015) "Canadian Product Information."
View all 9 references

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Drug and food interactions

Moderate

lithium food

Applies to: Lithium Carbonate ER (lithium)

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate some of the pharmacologic effects of CNS-active agents. Use in combination may result in additive central nervous system depression and/or impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills.

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving CNS-active agents should be warned of this interaction and advised to avoid or limit consumption of alcohol. Ambulatory patients should be counseled to avoid hazardous activities requiring complete mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them, and to notify their physician if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities.

References

  1. Warrington SJ, Ankier SI, Turner P (1986) "Evaluation of possible interactions between ethanol and trazodone or amitriptyline." Neuropsychobiology, 15, p. 31-7
  2. Gilman AG, eds., Nies AS, Rall TW, Taylor P (1990) "Goodman and Gilman's the Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics." New York, NY: Pergamon Press Inc.
  3. (2012) "Product Information. Fycompa (perampanel)." Eisai Inc
  4. (2015) "Product Information. Rexulti (brexpiprazole)." Otsuka American Pharmaceuticals Inc
View all 4 references

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Moderate

busPIRone food

Applies to: Vanspar (buspirone)

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate some of the pharmacologic effects of buspirone. Use in combination may result in additive central nervous system depression and/or impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: In a small, randomized, crossover study, the consumption of large amounts of grapefruit juice (compared to water) was associated with significantly increased plasma buspirone concentrations, slightly prolonged elimination half-lives, and delayed times to reach peak drug concentration. The perceived pharmacodynamic effect of buspirone, as measured by subjective drowsiness and overall subjective drug effect, was also enhanced by grapefruit juice. These alterations may stem from the delay of gastric emptying as well as inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall induced by certain compounds present in grapefruits.

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving buspirone should be advised to avoid consumption of alcohol. Patients also should preferably avoid the consumption of large amounts of grapefruits and grapefruit juice to prevent any undue fluctuations in plasma drug levels. If this is not possible, the buspirone dose should be taken at least 2 hours before or 8 hours after grapefruit or grapefruit juice. Monitoring for increased CNS depression is recommended.

References

  1. (2002) "Product Information. Buspar (buspirone)." Bristol-Myers Squibb
  2. Lilja JJ, Kivisto KT, Backman JT, Lamberg TS, Neuvonen PJ (1998) "Grapefruit juice substantially increases plasma concentrations of buspirone." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 64, p. 655-60
  3. Bailey DG, Dresser GR, Kreeft JH, Munoz C, Freeman DJ, Bend JR (2000) "Grapefruit-felodipine interaction: Effect of unprocessed fruit and probable active ingredients." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 68, p. 468-77

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Moderate

lithium food

Applies to: Lithium Carbonate ER (lithium)

MONITOR: One study has suggested that caffeine withdrawal may significantly increase blood lithium levels. The mechanism may be involve reversal of a caffeine-induced increase in renal lithium excretion.

MANAGEMENT: When caffeine is eliminated from the diet of lithium-treated patients, caution should be exercised. When caffeine consumption is decreased, close observation for evidence of lithium toxicity and worsening of the psychiatric disorder is recommended. Patients should be advised to notify their physician if they experience symptoms of possible lithium toxicity such as drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, ataxia, tremor, vomiting, diarrhea, thirst, blurry vision, tinnitus, or increased urination.

References

  1. Mester R, Toren P, Mizrachi I, Wolmer L, Karni N, Weizman A (1995) "Caffeine withdrawal increases lithium blood levels." Biol Psychiatry, 37, p. 348-50

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Therapeutic duplication warnings

No warnings were found for your selected drugs.

Therapeutic duplication warnings are only returned when drugs within the same group exceed the recommended therapeutic duplication maximum.

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Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Further information

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