Lithium

Yes, you can get a prescription for Lithium online after a video consultation with a licensed psychiatry provider, if the provider decides that medication is an appropriate treatment for you. Simply sign up for Talkspace Psychiatry then you’ll be matched with a psychiatry provider licensed in your state. You’ll be able to schedule a video appointment with your provider usually within two weeks, often sooner. At your video appointment your psychiatry provider will ask questions about your symptoms and health history, and you can share your questions about medication and anything else. If your provider writes you a prescription for Lithium, they will send it to a local pharmacy of your choice and you will pick up and pay for the medication at the pharmacy. You will have follow-up appointments with your provider every three months for ongoing medication management, to make sure Lithium is working for you and address any mental health needs.

No. Lithium is a prescription medication, so you cannot purchase it over-the-counter. You will need to have Lithium prescribed to you by a licensed provider who is able to prescribe medications, like a doctor or nurse practitioner. You can get a prescription for Lithium online through Talkspace after a video consultation with a licensed psychiatry provider, if the provider decides that Lithium is an appropriate treatment for you. 

Common side effects of lithium may include metallic taste in the mouth, feeling sick, restlessness, loss of appetite, thirst, stomach pain, slight shaking of the hands, weight changes, dry mouth, nausea, and/or diarrhea. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience seizures, vomiting, uncontrolled or unusual movements, fainting, hallucinations, shortness of breath or tightness in the chest, confusion or blacking out, or blurred vision.

Side effects are more likely to occur when you first start taking lithium and will reduce in severity or go away as you continue taking it. Seek medical attention if any of these side effects start getting worse. It’s important to take lithium exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider.

Yes, you can get a Lithium prescription or refill from Talkspace, after a video consultation with one of our licensed psychiatry providers (assuming the provider determines that it is an appropriate treatment for you). Simply sign up for Talkspace Psychiatry then you’ll be matched with a psychiatry provider licensed in your state. At your video appointment your psychiatry provider will ask questions about your symptoms and health history. If you are already taking Lithium and simply want to continue with a renewal of your prescription or refill, your Talkspace provider can continue your prescription if they determine it is medically appropriate. You will have follow-up appointments with your provider every three months for ongoing medication management, to make sure Lithium is working for you and address any mental health needs.

Talkspace is in-network with most major health insurance plans, which means that when you have a video appointment with a Talkspace psychiatric provider to receive a Lithium prescription or refill, Talkspace will bill your insurance plan directly for your online prescription appointment and you will only have to pay a copay (typically around $15, though many covered members pay $0). You will pay for the Lithium medication itself when you pick it up from a pharmacy of your choice, and you can have the pharmacy bill your insurance plan for the medication.

The price you pay for Lithium will depend on whether or not you’re paying with insurance and what your insurance copay is. The prices of prescription medications sometimes vary a lot by pharmacy, so to get the best price for Lithium you might want to look at websites like GoodRx and CostPlusDrugs. You should also contact your insurance company to find out the most affordable way to get your prescription for Lithium. Some insurance companies charge less when you fill your prescriptions through their mail-order pharmacies.

Lithium is taken in different forms, dosages, and frequencies, depending on your mental health condition and the treatment plan prescribed by your provider. Lithium comes in typical tablet(pill) form, modified or slow release pills, or liquid. Swallow the pill whole with water or juice, with or without food accompanying. If you’re taking the liquid form, make sure to use the plastic syringe or spoon that comes with your prescription to accurately measure your dose. It may also require lab blood work to monitor and  achieve therapeutic levels. You may need to carry a lithium record booklet where you can record each dose and other data per your provider’s instructions.

How lithium makes you feel can vary from person to person. Generally, you may notice side effects like a metallic taste in your mouth, feeling sick, and/or diarrhea when you first start taking lithium. These should get better as you get to the correct lithium dosage and levels in your blood. Some people find that lithium makes them feel numb or slows down their thinking. It can be difficult to differentiate at first if you’re coming from a period of mania.

No, lithium isn’t actually an antidepressant although it can be used for some of the same reasons. Lithium can be used to treat depression in regards to bipolar disorder or when major depressive disorder isn’t responding to other medications. However, lithium isn’t a drug categorized as an antidepressant. Instead it works as a mood stabilizer and is considered an antimanic drug.

It isn’t known exactly how lithium works in the body but it has been used successfully to manage or reduce bipolar disorder. It can help significantly reduce suicide risk as well as prevent future manic or depressive episodes.

There are several different medications your psychiatrist may prescribe for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or depression.

Other medications for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or depression include:

• Lamictal
• Abilify
• Depakote
• Seroquel
• Topamax
• Latuda
• Zyprexa

Lithium can be prescribed to treat a number of mental health conditions including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and depression. Lithium is a mood stabilizer and belongs to the anti-manic class of medications. In people with bipolar disorder it helps reduce mania and hypo-mania, as well as depressive mood symptoms. Lithium may help reduce the severity and the frequency of periods of altered mood, and may also be used to help reduce self-harming or aggressive behaviors. Lithium may also be prescribed as a general mood stabilizer for other mental health conditions.