Does Lithium Interact with Metronidazole?
CDI records a major classification for Lithium and Metronidazole. The stored summary is: Short-term metronidazole therapy associated with elevation of serum lithium and signs of lithium toxicity in patients on high doses. Serum lithium and creatinine levels should be monitored. The mechanism involves elevation of serum lithium concentration. Patients taking both medications should consult their healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing the dosage of either drug. This record was extracted from drug labeling through openFDA. NIH/NLM RxNorm is used for drug identities. The summary and severity classification are CDI's processed information, not a verbatim source quotation. Product, route, and patient circumstances matter.
Evidence status
A current label comparison is not yet available for this record. The summary and severity are stored CDI information; they have not been independently validated on this page against the exact product label.
Confirm the medicine, formulation, route, and applicable warning with your pharmacist or prescriber. Independent clinical review has not been recorded.
- Stored CDI classification
- Major
- Metronidazole Class
- Nitroimidazole Antimicrobial
- Management
- Confirm exact products with your pharmacist
- Data Source
- U.S. FDA via OpenFDA
Recorded Mechanism
Elevation of serum lithium concentration
What To Tell Your Doctor or Pharmacist
If you are taking Lithium and your doctor is considering prescribing Metronidazole (or vice versa), make sure to:
- Inform your doctor and pharmacist of all current medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements
- Ask whether the benefits of combining these medications outweigh the risks for your specific situation
- Ask what symptoms to watch for that would indicate the interaction is causing problems
- Ask how frequently you should be monitored while these are co-prescribed
- Ask whether any dosage adjustments are needed
- Never stop or change either medication without first consulting your healthcare provider