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Q. I have taken both lithium and Wellbutrin for 15 years to control bipolar disease. Recently I have become very thirsty. It is most noticeable when I'm speaking to large groups. (This is part of my job that hasn't changed for more than 25 years.)
My doctor says thirst has always been a possible side effect of both medications. Is there anything I can take to relieve the thirst, even if only for the periodic speaking engagements?
A. The antidepressant Wellbutrin (bupropion) can cause dry mouth. Real thirst, though, is a common side effect of lithium. The fact that you are bothered with thirst now although it has not been a problem for years might suggest you are more susceptible to the drug. Perhaps your kidneys are not coping with it as well. We recommend you see your doctor for a thorough check-up and blood test to make sure the dose of your lithium medication is still right for you.
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See your doctor. If your doctor does not institute proper testing to determine the cause of your thirst, get a new doctor. There are serious side effects of these medications that can lead to excessive thirst. Better yet, get a good clinical pharmacist.
One of the dumbest things I have repeatedly done in the past few years is takin Mucinex with OUT enough water; I know, I know; the directions say drink plenty of water; I first took Mucinex when it was Rx only; recently I got bronchitis and a horrid cough with the chest phlegm, etc. and ...well...it was bad; the doctor prescribed cough syrup with the generic for Mucinex; did not think taking a liquid would still require lots of water. I awakened in the middle of the night unable to swallow and had no spit nor tears. I got up and drank and down during the night and had a total of two glasses of water; awful awful mucinex; my eyelids were even stuck to my eyes and it was painful getting my eyes to open the first time. I don't know why mucinex is over the counter; with what I have experienced, I would say there needs to be a quart of water per half-dose!
I've been on lithium for over 15 years and being thirsty was a problem until I started eating a sliced red delicious apple within an hour of taking lithium. It beat drinking 2 quarts of water and getting up a million times during the night to pee.