Lithium patient education

Up to date, accurate and complete lithium patient education is proven to significantly enhance outcomes.

Medication compliance, symptom level and quality of life are all on-going challenges for people taking lithium.

Patient education has been demonstrated by research to improve all of these problems.

Patient education strategies

Patient education may focus on any of the following:

1. Taking meds as directed.

2. Understanding risk factors for relapse.

3. Recognizing warning signs for relapse.

4. Managing stress.

5. Identifying supportive strategies.

In fact, education is emerging as one of the most successful psychologial and social interventions for bipolar disorder.

As well as improving medication compliance and attitudes to lithium, education has been shown to reduce relapses and improve socio-occupational functioning.

Great sample program

A great example is the Texas Medication Algorithm Project (TMAP). This offers a complete package of education materials including:

1. Fact sheets.

2. Videos.

3. Facilitator Guides.

These are all available online in English and Spanish.

Lithium prescribing information

Drug companies who provide lithium medication routinely provide patient education sheets along with the drugs. You have probably received one of these from your pharmacy.

For example, GlaxoSmithKline, makers of lithium carbonate capsules under the brand names of ESKALITH and ESKALITH CR give out this sheet of Prescribing Information.

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