Drug interactions
Lithium + Vasopressin
Severity: Minor
Lithium and Vasopressin: minor 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
Lithium causes nephrogenic diabetes insipidus by reducing renal responsiveness to vasopressin. The antidiuretic effect of vasopressin may therefore be blunted.
What this interaction means in plain words
Lithium and Vasopressin have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Lithium belongs to Central Nervous System; Vasopressin belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Lithium impairs V2 receptor signaling and aquaporin-2 expression in collecting duct cells.
What to do
Monitor urine output, serum sodium and osmolality when vasopressin is used in a lithium-treated patient. Expect a reduced response and adjust therapy accordingly.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Lithium and Vasopressin, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
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 Vasopressin
- Carbamazepine + Vasopressin Moderate
- Clomipramine + Vasopressin Moderate
- Clozapine + Vasopressin Moderate
- Foscarnet + Vasopressin Moderate
- Haloperidol + Vasopressin Moderate
- Ibuprofen + Vasopressin Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Lithium with Vasopressin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Lithium and Vasopressin have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Lithium causes nephrogenic diabetes insipidus by reducing renal responsiveness to vasopressin. The antidiuretic effect of vasopressin may therefore be blunted.
How serious is the interaction between Lithium and Vasopressin?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor urine output, serum sodium and osmolality when vasopressin is used in a lithium-treated patient. Expect a reduced response and adjust therapy accordingly.
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.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
