Drug interactions
Lithium + Sodium polystyrene sulfonate
Severity: Moderate
Lithium and Sodium polystyrene sulfonate: 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
Sodium polystyrene sulfonate is a cation-exchange resin that can bind lithium in the gut and lower its absorption and serum concentration. It is also used to treat lithium overdose, so unintended lithium loss could reduce mood-stabilising effect.
What this interaction means in plain words
Lithium and Sodium polystyrene sulfonate 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; Sodium polystyrene sulfonate belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Cation-exchange resin binds lithium in the gastrointestinal tract, reducing absorption.
What to do
Separate doses by at least several hours, giving lithium well before the resin, and monitor serum lithium during prolonged co-therapy.
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 Lithium
- Lithium + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Lithium + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Lithium Major
- Acemetacin + Lithium Major
- Amisulpride + Lithium Major
- Amlodipine-benazepril + Lithium Major
Other interactions of Sodium polystyrene sulfonate
- Meloxicam + Sodium polystyrene sulfonate Major
- Sodium polystyrene sulfonate + Sorbitol Major
- Calcium carbonate + Sodium polystyrene sulfonate Moderate
- Deflazacort + Sodium polystyrene sulfonate Moderate
- Levothyroxine + Sodium polystyrene sulfonate Moderate
- Magnesium citrate + Sodium polystyrene sulfonate Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Lithium with Sodium polystyrene sulfonate?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Lithium and Sodium polystyrene sulfonate 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. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate is a cation-exchange resin that can bind lithium in the gut and lower its absorption and serum concentration. It is also used to treat lithium overdose, so unintended lithium loss could reduce mood-stabilising effect.
How serious is the interaction between Lithium and Sodium polystyrene sulfonate?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Separate doses by at least several hours, giving lithium well before the resin, and monitor serum lithium during prolonged co-therapy.
What other medicines interact with Lithium?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Lithium with, for example, Thioridazine, Vandetanib, Aceclofenac. The full list is on the Lithium page.
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