Caffeine and Lithium

So Ive heard caffeine can hinder lithium. Yet I still need my jolt in the morning lol. How much is to much?

I drink 1-2 cups per day. I also need a lot of water with it. I've read that the important thing is to keep your caffeine intake about the same daily.

Like any question about drug interactions, it's best to ask your psychiatrist or pharmacist. I will say that when I first started Lithium ER my psychiatrist (in the hospital) said to avoid caffeine. At the time I was also supposed to stop drinking alcohol completely. I sort of boo-hooed that stopping both alcohol and coffee was like a punishment. I HAD to quit the alcohol (for more reasons other than just mood interference), but I wanted the coffee. He said that I could have one cup in the morning. I was satisfied, because that is pretty much all I drank anyway.

I imagine people out there do drink more than one caffeinated beverage on Lithium. I think I did occasionally have two or three in the form of coffee, espresso, and iced tea, but it would have been better if I hadn't. Definitely if you're a Jolt drinker, it might be good to stop that habit immediately. Even people without a mental illness would probably benefit by stopping a full coffee pot habit or a six-pack of Diet Coke habit.

Like TheSadGirl said, water consumption is important. Actually, many Lithium users get so extremely thirsty they drink a lot of water throughout the day. And pee a lot, too. That's good for the kidneys. Do take care of your kidneys.

Thanks!! I am a poor water drinker. Im working on it. lol

Lithium 450mg a times a day for awhile now. I drink coffee all the time. Doctor just said not to forget to drink water.

Water is your friend on lithium.

My Pdoc was fine with coffee. I always have dry mouth thanks to meds so that I’m always drinking something. I do drink more water than coffee generally.

I drink 3-4 Coke Zero/coffee per day. I drink so much fluid a day that my dr is fine with that. I also have a morning Seroquel ‘hangover’ every day and need caffeine to wake up.

It will make you have to pee so much more. So id say stay away from caffeine while on lithium. Thats what i had to do.

When I read the title to this thread it made me think of a blues song by Muddy Waters - "Champagne & Reefer." I don't suggest trying the two, but something triggered in my brain. When I was on lithium, the pdoc did say that drinking a lot of water is key to keeping healthy when taking lithium. As far as caffeine goes, I understand...I drink too much coffee even though I suffer from anxiety. It's a tough habit to break. I'd talk to my pdoc to check on caffeine's effect. I wish I had a better answer. Good luck, whatever you find out.

I drink a ton of coffee and take lithium never had a problem with the two.

Caffeine never bothered me when I was on Lithium.