Lithium Drug Interactions

When certain medications are taken with lithium, drug interactions may occur. Medicines that may cause these interactions include ACE inhibitors, antipsychotic medications, and NSAIDs. These interactions can increase the level of lithium in your blood and increase your risk of toxicity. To avoid these risks, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider before starting treatment about any lithium drug interactions that may apply to you.

 

An Introduction to Lithium Drug Interactions

Lithium (Eskalith®, Eskalith CR®, Lithobid®) can potentially interact with a number of other medicines. Some of the medicines that may lead to lithium drug interactions include:
 
  • Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors), such as:
o Benazepril (Lotensin®, Lotensin® HCT, Lotrel®)
o Captopril (Capoten®, Capozide®)
o Enalapril (Vasotec®, Vaseretic®, Lexxel®)
o Lisinopril (Prinivil®, Prinizide®, Zestril®, Zestoretic®)
  • Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), such as:
o Eposartan (Teveten®, Teveten® HCT)
o Irbesartan (Avapro®, Avalide®)
o Telmisartan (Micardis®, Micardis® HCT)
  • Antipsychotic medications, such as:
o Clozapine (Clozaril®, FazaClo®)
  • Diuretics, such as:
o Acetazolamide (Diamox®)
o Triamterene (Dyrenium®) or triamterene/HCTZ (Dyazide®, Maxzide®) 
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as:
o Ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®)
o Diclofenac (Cataflam®, Voltaren®)
o Ketoprofen (Orudis®)
  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants, including:
(Lithium Drug Interactions Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;