Lithium switch - Patient information leaflet

Written by admin on Friday 25th September 2020

Priadel® (lithium carbonate) 200mg and 400mg modified-release tablets are being discontinued in the UK and remaining supplies of both strengths are expected to be exhausted by April 2021

 

Leaflet:

The following Lithium Patient Information Leaflet leaflet has been produced by Southern Health NHS Trust and adopted by CCGs in our area. 

Supply:

  • CPSC has received an update about the Lithium supply situation following the announcement of the discontinuation of Priadel. There is a useful contact in case a pharmacy is unable to obtain supplies for a patient.

         Priadel supply update.png

Prescribing:

Details for how clinicians can switch will be sent once finalised.

Issue

  • The manufacturer of Priadel (lithium) will be discontinuing production of Priadel tablets and supplies will be exhausted in April 2021
  • Liquids are not affected by this and production of Priadel liquid will continue
  • Other brands of tablets remain unaffected 

Plan – October

  • The medicines management team at Southern are currently drawing up some guidance for clinicians to support switching of existing patients to the alternatives as safely as possible. This is likely to begin in October.   
  • A patient information leaflet to support discussion with patients about the switch has been created (see above)

Immediate Action

  • Do not initiate new patients onto Priadel tablets – other available brands include:
    1. Lithium Carbonate Essential 250mg (previously known as Camcolit 250mg) - preferred
    2. Camcolit® (lithium carbonate) 400 mg M/R - preferred
    3. Liskonum MR 450mg
  • Inform existing patients about the need to switch by sharing the patient leaflet.

Further information about the Supply Disruption Alert can be read on the following MHRA website page: 

 

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