Treating manic episodes in patients with bipolar disorder. It is also used to reduce the frequency and decrease the severity of manic episodes in patients with bipolar disorder. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Eskalith CR Controlled-Release and Extended-Release Tablets are an antimanic agent. Exactly how Eskalith CR Controlled-Release and Extended-Release Tablets works is unknown, but it may work by altering the balance of certain chemicals in the brain.
 

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Eskalith CR Controlled-Release and Extended-Release Tablets
• you have moderate to severe kidney, heart, or blood vessel problems
• you have low blood sodium levels
• you are severely dehydrated, ill, or weakened
• you are taking an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (eg, enalapril) or a diuretic (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you. 
Some medical conditions may interact with Eskalith CR Controlled-Release and Extended-Release Tablets. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have diarrhea, vomiting, excessive sweating, dehydration, fever, infection, or illness, or you are in a weakened state
• if you have kidney, heart, blood vessel, or thyroid problems
• if you have brain or nerve problems (eg, organic brain syndrome)
• if you are on a low-salt diet

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Eskalith CR Controlled-Release and Extended-Release Tablets. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Acetazolamide, urea, urinary alkalinizers (eg, sodium bicarbonate), or xanthines (eg, theophylline) because they may decrease Eskalith CR Controlled-Release and Extended-Release Tablets's effectiveness
• ACE inhibitors (eg, enalapril), angiotensin II receptor antagonists (eg, losartan), calcium channel blockers (eg, verapamil), carbamazepine, diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide), hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), methyldopa, metronidazole, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, indomethacin, celecoxib), or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants (eg, fluoxetine) because the risk of toxicity of Eskalith CR Controlled-Release and Extended-Release Tablets may be increased
• Butyrophenones (eg, haloperidol) or other medicines for mental or mood problems because the risk of serious side effects, such as confusion, involuntary muscle movements, fever, and brain damage, may be increased
• Iodide preparations (eg, potassium iodide) because the risk of low thyroid levels may be increased
• Nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers (eg, vecuronium) or succinylcholine because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Eskalith CR Controlled-Release and Extended-Release Tablets

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Eskalith CR Controlled-Release and Extended-Release Tablets may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.