Camcolit Side Effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
The patient should contact the doctor immediately if he/she: notices any changes in heart rate, for example a slower, faster or irregular heartbeat; has a high fever, agitation, confusion, trembling, and abrupt contractions of muscles (may be signs of a rare condition called serotonin syndrome); experiences a high temperature with rigid muscles, confusion or agitation, and sweating, or jerky muscle movements which can't be controlled (may be symptoms of a serious condition known as neuroleptic malignant syndrome); experiences persistent headaches and/or visual disturbances.
Other side effects include: heart rhythm problems including a fast or irregular heartbeat and abnormal heart muscle function (tests on the heart may show changes in the way the heart is working); encephalopathy (alteration of brain function); syndrome of irreversible lithium effectuated neurotoxicity (permanent nerve tissue damage); kidney problems, which may not be reversible (symptoms may include passing a lot of urine, or feeling thirsty and swollen ankles); benign/malignant kidney tumours (microcysts, oncocytoma or collecting duct renal carcinoma) (in long-term therapy); parkinsonism (a condition characterised by tremor, slow body movements, rigid muscles, inability to stand steady, tendency to stoop, and a shuffling walk); thyroid problem and a condition known as parathyroid adenoma (a non-cancerous tumour close to the thyroid gland in the neck that controls the use and removal of calcium); oedema (usually seen as swelling caused by too much fluid); weight gain, loss of appetite or too much calcium, magnesium or sugar in the blood; hand tremor, vertigo, dazed feeling, not being able to think clearly, difficulty remembering, fits, changes of the sense of taste, shaky movements, slurred speech, dizziness, rapid eye movements, blurred vision, or blind spots in the eyesight, unconsciousness, coma and myasthenia gravis (a long-term disease characterised by abnormal tiredness and muscle weakness); skin problems including worsening of psoriasis, hair loss, acne, soreness around the hair root, itching rashes and redness of the skin; low blood pressure; blood tests can show an increase in white blood cells (leucocytosis); sickness, feeling sick, diarrhoea, upset stomach, dry mouth or too much saliva; sexual problems including being unable to get an erection, having delayed ejaculation or being unable to have an orgasm; abnormal taste sensation.
It is important to have the right level of lithium in the blood. If it is too high, then a side effect is more likely to occur.
Tell the family about lithium side effects so they know what to look for too.
Reporting side effects: If any side effects occur, talk to the doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this monograph.
By reporting side effects, the patient can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.