Lithium, Cardiovascular Health

Dear Dr. Dean, I had been taking prescription lithium for bipolar disorder and had to quit it because it was causing my pulse rate to slow down. I have had two stents put into my heart and am currently on Lipitor® and Plavix® and nitoglycerin for heart pains. My doctor placed me on Zyprexa® for my bipolar which helped my pulse return to normal. However, I am now having side effects to this medicine. Can I safely use Lithium Orotate with my heart condition? Mr. T.

Dear Mr. T. You should be able to safely take Lithium Orotate with your heart condition. I don’t know of any side effects with it. The dose that is required for your bipolar condition is a fraction of the prescription dose that you were taking. However, I don’t think you can safely take Lipitor. I believe it is a bad drug. I suggest a combination of niacin (about 1,500 mg per day), plus Turmeric (1 gram twice per day). Please see my article on fibrinogen to gain an appreciation of the importance of Turmeric. For the angina, in addition to your nitroglycerin, I suggest CoQ10—150 mg twice per day. This is especially important if you continue to take Lipitor. Oral ChelatoRx would also be beneficial over the long run. Let me know how you do. Ward Dean, M.D.