[NolaMae]

Hi. I'm starting 300 mg extended release lithium tomorrow. Not sure if I will need to increase the dose or not.

I know you're supposed to drink lots of water and not become dehydrated. For those of you on lithium, did you have to cut out caffeine? I drink 2-3 cups of black tea every morning and I don't want to give it up! I've got a call in to my psychiatrist about this, but sometimes it takes awhile to get a call back.

Do any of you drink coffee or tea while on lithium?

[benzenering]

I do, no problems

[WildcatVet]

I take 1500mgs/day with about two large coffees...no problems at all for me. But it's possible so don't go overboard until you see how it affects you. From the Drugs.com Interactions Checker:
"lithium ↔ Caffeine
Moderate Drug Interaction
Using caffeine together with lithium may increase the effects of caffeine. Contact your doctor if you experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, muscle weakness, tremor, lack of coordination, blurred vision, or ringing in your ears."

[WildcatVet]

I take 1500mgs/day with about two large coffees...no problems at all for me. But it's possible so don't go overboard until you see how it affects you. From the Drugs.com Interactions Checker:
"lithium ↔ Caffeine
Moderate Drug Interaction
Using caffeine together with lithium may increase the effects of caffeine. Contact your doctor if you experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, muscle weakness, tremor, lack of coordination, blurred vision, or ringing in your ears."

[Guiness187055]

You would have to pry my coffee away from my cold dead hands.

[Blue_Bird]

I was on 1800mg of Lithium (got severe toxicity and ended in ICU) anyway I wouldn't worry about drinking coffee. Too much coffee isn't good for anyone but you're on a very low dose so its not likely to be a problem but its best to ask your doctor.

[*Laurie*]

I drink 1 large cup of coffee in the morning. I also drink A LOT of water.

[TicTacGo]

I often drink at least 1 cup of coffee with lithium in the morning, sometimes two, and do not feel any kind of effect.

In fact, I used to drink with lithium too and yet I still did not feel any effect.

Nevertheless, one should look out for these effects.

ONE thing that lithium does do to me (and tmi to those who do not like talking about it) is cause constipation. That is apparently common.

[Seqoya]

Originally Posted by NolaMae

Hi. I'm starting 300 mg extended release lithium tomorrow. Not sure if I will need to increase the dose or not.

I know you're supposed to drink lots of water and not become dehydrated. For those of you on lithium, did you have to cut out caffeine? I drink 2-3 cups of black tea every morning and I don't want to give it up! I've got a call in to my psychiatrist about this, but sometimes it takes awhile to get a call back.

Do any of you drink coffee or tea while on lithium?

I drink decaf usually and just sometimes drink caffeinated coffee. The same with Tea except I usually drink caffeine free tea.

I don't know what your doctor will do. I am not a medical professional. But I understand that Lithium is typically started in a lower dose and later taken in a high dose it sounds like it is anyway in comparison to some other meds.

300 mg is actually very low as I understand it. I take 1200 mg which I was told is a standard dose. Although it got lowered to 900 for awhile. The exact dose depends on the person including the Lithium levels in your blood.

Remember to eat something with it. It's hard on an empty stomach.

I hope that this helps.