My son takes lithium and depakote daily.  He also seems to have alot of excess mucus.  He gags and coughs up phlem alot. Can these medications contribute to this?

Dear Liz -- 
Haven't seen that, though I treat adults.  Lithium can dry you out, if you don't drink a lot.  Many of my patients carry a jug of water around with them.  Maybe try that?  If you're dehydrated, even just a little, phlegm gets much thicker and stickier.   See that his urine is pretty clear -- i.e. push the fluids until that point -- and see if that helps. 

Dr. Phelps


Published March, 2001