Licar 400mg Tablet PR

Lithium carbonate (400mg)

Genuine

Authenticity Assured

Prescription

required

Licar 400mg Tablet PR is used in the treatment of bipolar disorder and mania in adults. It is sometimes used to treat other behavioral disorders as well. It reduces the frequency of manic episodes and decreases the intensity of those episodes that might occur.

Written By Dr. Swati Mishra, BDS,
Reviewed By Dr. Varun Gupta, MD Pharmacology, MBBS,
Last updated on 12 Nov 2024 | 01:12 AM (IST)

₹141 MRP ₹1453% off

Gurgaon

General Information

Contains

Lithium carbonate (400mg)

Marketer

Psycogen Captab

Storage

Store below 30°C

The content is shown in English

Product introduction

Licar 400mg Tablet PR should be taken with food. However, it is advised to take it at the same time each day as this helps to maintain a consistent level of medicine in the body. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. If you have missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. You should continue to take this medicine for as long as the doctor advises and do not stop taking it suddenly as it may result in harmful effects.

Side effects associated with the use of this medicine include tremors, slurred speech, uncoordinated body movements, nausea, Vomiting, acne, increased white blood cell count, and memory impairment. It may also cause hair loss, enlarged thyroid gland, skin rash, and increased thirst. This medicine may also cause weight gain and to control it, you should have a balanced diet and exercise regularly. If you have been taking this medicine for a long time then regular monitoring of thyroid and kidney function may be required.

Uses of Licar Tablet PR

Benefits of Licar Tablet PR

Mania
Mania means extremely excited or elevated mood. Licar 400mg Tablet PR helps calm the mood and relax the nerves. This stabilises the mood and prevents the symptoms of mania from recurring again. Taking Licar 400mg Tablet PR will ensure that you have a better social life and are able to do daily activities more comfortably.

Bipolar disorder
Licar 400mg Tablet PR works to restore the normal balance of nerve activity in your brain. It can help prevent extreme changes in mood and help you feel less agitated. You may experience fewer episodes of low mood. It can take several weeks for this medicine to work and you may still feel low during this time. It is likely that you will take this medicine for at least six months but possibly much longer. It needs to be taken regularly to work effectively. Do not stop taking it unless your doctor advises you to. You should continue to eat well and keep fit to reduce symptoms of bipolar disorder.

Side effects of Licar Tablet PR

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Licar

Tremors
Slurred speech
Uncoordinated body movements
Nausea
Acne
Increased white blood cell count
Memory impairment
Hair loss
Goiter (enlarged thyroid gland)
Skin rash
Increased thirst
Weight gain
Polyuria
Diarrhea
Vomiting

How to use Licar Tablet PR

Use it as advised by your doctor or check the label for directions before use. Licar 400mg Tablet PR is to be taken with food.

How Licar Tablet PR works

Licar 400mg Tablet PR works by suppressing the abnormal and excessive activity of the nerve cells in the brain.

Quick tips

Licar 400mg Tablet PR is one of the most effective long-term treatment for bipolar disorder.
It may also be used for the treatment of mania.
Your lithium blood levels, thyroid function, and kidney function may be monitored as long as you take this medicine.
It may cause diarrhea and dehydration. Drink plenty of water and and use normal amounts of salt. Inform your doctor if you start or stop a low-salt diet.
Monitor your weight during treatment as Licar 400mg Tablet PR can cause weight gain.
Do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how it affects you.
Inform your doctor if you have persistent stomach upset, problems with your speech, or extreme drowsiness. Your dose may need to be adjusted.
Do not take Licar 400mg Tablet PR if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Do not stop taking the medication suddenly without talking to your doctor.

Safety advice

Alcohol

UNSAFE

It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Licar 400mg Tablet PR.

Pregnancy

CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Licar 400mg Tablet PR is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.

Breast feeding

CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Licar 400mg Tablet PR is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.

Driving

UNSAFE

Licar 400mg Tablet PR may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive.

Kidney

CAUTION

Licar 400mg Tablet PR should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Licar 400mg Tablet PR may be needed. Please consult your doctor.

Liver

SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Licar 400mg Tablet PR is probably safe to use in patients with liver disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Licar 400mg Tablet PR may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.

Frequently asked questions

How quickly does Licar 400mg Tablet PR work?

It takes some time before you see improvement in your symptoms after taking Licar 400mg Tablet PR. Though it varies from person to person, it may take 1-3 weeks or longer for you to see the full benefits of Licar 400mg Tablet PR. Do not stop taking Licar 400mg Tablet PR if you feel you are not improving. Instead, discuss it with your doctor.

Does Licar 400mg Tablet PR make you sleepy?

Yes, Licar 400mg Tablet PR can cause nervous system disorders like sleepiness and dizziness and feeling confused. It can also cause rapid eye movements, blurred vision, or blind spots in your eyesight. If you experience any of these symptoms, consult your doctor. In addition, avoid driving or operating heavy machinery as it can be hazardous for you.

Is Licar 400mg Tablet PR bad for kidneys?

Yes, Licar 400mg Tablet PR may cause kidney problems. Licar 400mg Tablet PR is not prescribed in patients who already have severe kidney impairment. The kidney problems may not be reversible and the symptoms include swollen ankles, passing a lot of urine and feeling thirsty. Before starting treatment with Licar 400mg Tablet PR, your doctor will get blood tests done to see if your kidney function is normal. During Licar 400mg Tablet PR therapy, any gradual or sudden changes in renal function, even within the normal range, may indicate the need for re-evaluation of treatment.

Can Licar 400mg Tablet PR cause gain in weight?

Licar 400mg Tablet PR can cause both weight gain or weight loss. You should keep a check on your weight during Licar 400mg Tablet PR therapy. If you feel you are gaining or losing too much weight, consult your doctor who will assess whether the change in weight is due to Licar 400mg Tablet PR or some other reason.

What is the most important information I should know about Licar 400mg Tablet PR?

Licar 400mg Tablet PR therapy should only be started if adequate facilities for assessing Licar 400mg Tablet PR levels are available. This is because Licar 400mg Tablet PR toxicity is related to increased levels of Licar 400mg Tablet PR in blood. Licar 400mg Tablet PR toxicity can even occur at dose which is effective for treatment. Therefore, your doctor may closely monitor your Licar 400mg Tablet PR levels weekly until stabilization is achieved, then weekly for one month and then at monthly intervals thereafter.

How should Licar 400mg Tablet PR be taken?

Take Licar 400mg Tablet PR exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Check with your doctor if you are not sure. It is meant for oral administration and can be taken with or without food. However, if you start following a certain type of diet, talk to your doctor first. Any drastic changes in the amount of water you drink or amount of sodium (salt) in your diet may require more frequent monitoring of Licar 400mg Tablet PR levels.

Which medicines decrease Licar 400mg Tablet PR levels?

You should inform your doctor about the medicines you are taking before starting Licar 400mg Tablet PR since many medicines interfere with the working of Licar 400mg Tablet PR. Some medicines decrease the levels of Licar 400mg Tablet PR in blood which means that it will not work well. These include theophylline (for asthma), caffeine, anything containing sodium bicarbonate, or a special group of diuretics (water tablets) called carbonic anhydrase inhibitors and urea used to treat skin conditions.

Fact Box

Chemical Class

Organic Carbonic Acids

Habit Forming

Therapeutic Class

NEURO CNS

Action Class

Mood stabilizers

References

Stahl SM, editor. Lithium. In: Stahl's Essential Pschopharmacology: Prescriber's Guide. 5th ed. New York, New York: Cambridge University Press; 2014. pp. 349-54.
Meltzer H. Antipsychotic Agents & Lithium. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. pp. 502-504.
Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006. Lithium. [Updated 2020 Jan 20]. [Accessed 20 Feb. 2020] (online) Available from:
Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). [Accessed 25 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from:
Lithium Carbonate [Patient Information Leaflet]. Ahmedabad, Gujarat: Torrent Pharmaceuticals :Ltd.; 2022. [Accessed 20 Feb. 2024] (online) Available from:

Want to know more

We provide you with authentic, trustworthy and relevant information

Have issue with the content

Disclaimer

Tata 1mg's sole intention is to ensure that its consumers get information that is expert-reviewed, accurate and trustworthy. However, the information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of a qualified physician. The information provided here is for informational purposes only. This may not cover everything about particular health conditions, lab tests, medicines, all possible side effects, drug interactions, warnings, alerts, etc. Please consult your doctor and discuss all your queries related to any disease or medicine. We intend to support, not replace, the doctor-patient relationship.

Marketer details

Name: Psycogen Captab
Address: SCO 325, 1st Floor, Sector 38-D, Chandigarh - 160036 Chandigarh, India

Vendor Details

Country of origin: India

Lab tests offered by us

Why we need a prescription?