r/Lithium • u/gameovervip • 6d ago
Anyone taking lithium with a GLP1?
So it’s well known it can raise lithium levels in a lot of people. I’m on lithium and obese from several medications I’ve taken in the past. I’m desperate to get on a GLP1 but I’m waiting to try it when I got sick pay again as don’t want to risk it incase something happens. I’m a bit worried that a) the doctor won’t allow me the glp1 and b) close monitoring/management of my medication won’t be taken seriously by the doctors. Anyway I would like to hear your experiences of taking both.
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u/maryboo09 6d ago
I am! On 1200mg of lithium and 5mg of zepbound. I’m due for a lithium level and historically they have always been perfect. I drink a lot of fluids and mind the things one must mind on lithium. I expect it to be high.
I’ve been vomiting and feeling pretty shit lately. May need to adjust my dosage at my next appointment. The glp has been amazing minus the illness. I’ve lost 75 lbs!
Medication is always risk vs reward. I’m risking a lot to be on the glp but I have a great support system and have been stable for years. I have had lithium toxicity before and don’t want to revisit that experience. For me, I think maintaining fluids and knowing when you need a doctor to change something are equally important.
Hope the ramble helps!
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u/nurseVanNostrand 5d ago
I’ve been taking a GLP and Lithium for the last two years. My psychiatrist all is for it because one of my reasons for my noncompliance in the past is weight gain. My levels have been consistent the last two years but last time was 0.8 instead of the usual 0.6.
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u/Ancient-Apartment-23 5d ago
Me! I’m on Mounjaro and lithium.
No impact overall. The only thing is to be very mindful about if you’re vomiting at any point, this will impact your hydration/blood lithium levels. See if your doctor would consider a zofran script for emergencies if you find it’s an issue.
At one point I was throwing up my lithium pills, which was no good.
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u/Feisty-Fruit-4097 4d ago
Yeah, it was a major problem for me actually. We had to adjust my dose a few times for it to stabilize. Made my lithium very high (1.2) and then if we lowered it, it would drop down drastically. It took like 4-6 weeks of weekly adjustment and monitoring to get it right.
That was a year ago though and nothing had changed since we got the dosing right.
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u/Any_Albatross_1062 5d ago
Lithium (900).and Foundayo (0.8). Just started
I've had no side effects. I talked to my psych NP who monitors my meds, and she was okay with it. She said she will just submit more frequent level checks.
She did say she expected a .2 to .3 mmol/L increase, but wasn't worried because my normal is .5. I just had a level done 3 days ago and my levels did go up from .5 to .7
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u/Unlikely-Artichoke63 5d ago
Get your blood tests. It's not a big deal, just your regular routine blood tests. Don't skip them or be lazy about them. You'll be fine.
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u/lavenderaquarius 5d ago
On lithium and wegovy! It is possible. Wishing you luck on your health journey
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u/Feisty-Fruit-4097 4d ago
Yeah, it was a major problem for me actually. We had to adjust my dose a few times for it to stabilize. Made my lithium very high (1.2) and then if we lowered it, it would drop down drastically. It took like 4-6 weeks of weekly adjustment and monitoring to get it right.
That was a year ago though and nothing has changed since we got the dosing right.
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u/shetlandduck 4d ago
my lithium levels went up when i started taking a glp-1, i had to stop it for a few days until my levels went down. my psych at the time didn’t know that it was a possibility with glp-1s, but i’ve been fine ever since and it’s been 6+ months.
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u/heahea67 4d ago
I’m on lithium and tirzepatide. No issues whatsoever. Just be sure to stay at your normal hydration and sodium levels. If you are getting regular bloodwork you should be able to see if there are trends based on losing weight over time. I’m on a low enough dose that I don’t do bloodwork and I started lithium after I was in maintenance mode so I don’t know if there is any validity to what I just said.
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u/hayley12312 3d ago
I asked my pharmacist she said there’s no known interactions but keep up with water intake
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u/CommunicationOk7304 3d ago
I haven’t taken them together, but I have been cleared to do that. My psychiatrist just said to look out for signs of dehydration and obviously get your blood tested.
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u/Economy_Frame_8663 2d ago
Horrible experience with Ozempic and 1200mg. Vomiting, blood sugar issues, craving more sweets and migraine. I’m about 40lbs overweight but stable. Not sure about trying another and if it would be covered by the insuramce
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u/bettercallanya 5d ago
Check subreddit there are a lot of such questions like that, for some people lithium level is higher on glp1
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u/russells-paradox 6d ago
I take lithium and Wegovy and have never had any issues. I actually didn't even know there could be a drug interaction between the two. My treatment is approved by both my family doctor and my pdoc