What should I do if I have taken too much lithium carbonate tablets?

Lithium carbonate granules may refer to lithium carbonate, which is commonly available in formulations such as tablets and sustained-release tablets. In cases of lithium carbonate overdose, it is recommended to seek immediate medical attention and consider interventions including electrolyte replacement, medications to protect the gastric mucosa, gastric lavage, and hemodialysis. Specific measures are analyzed as follows:

1. Immediate medical attention: Lithium carbonate is commonly used to treat mania and has good therapeutic effects on manic and depressive disorders. Overuse may lead to toxicity, causing discomfort such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If patients experience these symptoms, prompt medical care is advised to prevent harm to health.

2. Electrolyte solution supplementation: The drug may cause electrolyte imbalances, such as hypokalemia or hyponatremia. Patients are advised to follow medical guidance in using medications like potassium chloride injection, potassium glutamate for injection, and compound sodium chloride injection to help restore normal electrolyte balance and alleviate related symptoms.

3. Use of gastric mucosal protective agents: Excessive intake of this medication may cause gastrointestinal discomfort, leading to symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. It is recommended that patients use, under medical supervision, drugs with gastric mucosal protective effects—such as compound rennet capsules, bismuth potassium citrate tablets, or colloidal bismuth pectin capsules—to help relieve these adverse symptoms.

4. Gastric lavage: This procedure rapidly removes residual lithium carbonate from the stomach, reducing drug absorption and thereby alleviating toxic symptoms. It is a common treatment approach.

5. Hemodialysis: This is an effective method for removing excess drug or toxins from the body. Using specialized dialysis equipment, hemodialysis helps eliminate lithium ions from the bloodstream, reduces symptoms of toxicity, and promotes patient recovery.

In daily life, patients are advised to maintain adequate sleep, get sufficient rest, take proper measures to stay warm, and consume fresh vegetables such as cabbage, lettuce, and tomatoes appropriately. A light diet is beneficial for recovery.