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drug_recall neurontinThe FDA approved Neurontin as an anti-seizure medication for epileptics, however soon after its introduction to the market, it was being used for off-label treatment of bipolar disorder and other conditions. Serious side effects from Neurontin have been observed in patients including many who are taking Neurontin for unapproved uses. For those looking for a replacement for Neurontin, lithium has long been the popular alternative.
Lithium is a naturally occurring mineral (like sodium) that was first found to have effects on mood problems in the 1940’s. It has been the main medication for Bipolar Disorder, formerly manic-depressive disorder, for many years. Lithium is still the most researched medication for this condition, and an ideal replacement for Neurontin. In fact no other medication has proven to be as effective in controlling depression, suicidal thoughts, or long-term mood stability.
Although it’s not exactly known how this medication works, it has already been used as a successful replacement for neurontin. It somehow affects the process by which nerve cells communicate with one another, but there is still active research in this area.
The common dosage required to reach the therapeutic range is usually at least 900 milligrams when used as a replacement for neurontin. However, used with another mood stabilizer, lower doses can be beneficial. A combination of medications allows for lower doses of both medications, thus avoiding common side effects.
Most people won’t experience side effects from this replacement of Neurontin, however lithium can have minor setbacks. Lithium is very similar to sodium, or salt, and taking lithium is like taking small salt tablets. Like salt, lithium will make you thirsty and if you don’t drink more water than usual, dryness of the mouth is common. Hydration will alleviate this problem, but this will also increase urination frequency. Higher doses will make this side effect more evident. When your body has too much water, you can experience edema, which is manifest as ankle swelling or a bloated feeling. High doses can also cause dry skin.
Some people using this replacement for Neurontin can experience nausea. The slow-release versions of lithium are less likely to cause nausea, but have a higher out-of-pocket cost because they’re not generic. If you have been taking lithium without nausea, becoming nauseated is a dangerous sign, as your lithium level may have become too high.
Lithium can decrease thyroid hormone in about 10 percent of people taking this replacement for Neurontin. Thyroid levels should be checked at least twice a year while on lithium, and the doctor will usually check your lithium level at your initial consultation.
Lithium is a good replacement for Neurontin because there is no addiction; meaning if you stop there is no craving or withdrawal from the drug. However, there is good evidence that suddenly stopping lithium medication can cause a quick relapse of symptoms. You must steadily ease off lithium doses over the course several weeks, unless other circumstances are presented. Talk to your doctor regarding the replacement of Neurontin with lithium today.
The FDA has requested 14 drugmakers to check their study data to see if use of epilepsy drugs results in suicidal behavior or thoughts, giving the drugmakers six months to respond.
Sales of anti-seizure drugs in the U.S. during 2004 were th...
Just weeks after Pfizer and its Warner-Lambert Co. unit were penalized $430 million in federal and state courts for selling Neurontin for purposes that have not yet been FDA approved, the company is again under fire for fraudulent marketing practices. ...
The world''s largest drug manufacturer, Pfizer, Inc., agreed to pay at least $400 million in order to settle civil charges regarding kickbacks to encourage doctors to prescribe the anti-epileptic drug Neurontin for other purposes.
The se...