Drug interactions
Lithium + Nifedipine
Severity: Moderate
Lithium and Nifedipine: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Neurotoxicity such as confusion, tremor and ataxia has been reported in a few patients taking lithium with calcium channel blockers, sometimes at normal serum lithium concentrations. The evidence is mostly isolated case reports and the risk appears greater with verapamil and diltiazem than with dihydropyridines.
What this interaction means in plain words
Lithium and Nifedipine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Lithium belongs to Central Nervous System; Nifedipine belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
The mechanism is not well established; a pharmacodynamic enhancement of lithium neurotoxicity is suspected.
What to do
Monitor for neurological signs such as tremor, confusion and unsteadiness after starting or changing nifedipine, and check serum lithium if symptoms appear. Reduce or stop lithium if toxicity is suspected.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Nifedipine
Other interactions of Lithium
- Lithium + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Lithium + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Lithium Major
- Acemetacin + Lithium Major
- Amisulpride + Lithium Major
- Amlodipine-benazepril + Lithium Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Lithium with Nifedipine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Lithium and Nifedipine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Neurotoxicity such as confusion, tremor and ataxia has been reported in a few patients taking lithium with calcium channel blockers, sometimes at normal serum lithium concentrations. The evidence is mostly isolated case reports and the risk appears greater with verapamil and diltiazem than with dihydropyridines.
How serious is the interaction between Lithium and Nifedipine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for neurological signs such as tremor, confusion and unsteadiness after starting or changing nifedipine, and check serum lithium if symptoms appear. Reduce or stop lithium if toxicity is suspected.
What other medicines interact with Nifedipine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Nifedipine with, for example, Amifostine, Amlodipine-benazepril, Apalutamide. The full list is on the Nifedipine page.
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