A male fiend of mine is taking Lithium and he and his wife want to have a baby, should he come off the lithium first or will it be safe for the baby. Do you know where i could find info about this.
Thanks

This is something they should talk to their doctor about.

There is a slightly elevated risk of birth defects for women taking lithium while pregnant. It seems unlikely to me that there will be any effect due to a man taking it, but they should still check with their doctor to be safe.

totally, i agree with methos. I"d seriously consult a doctor, Lithium messes with you pretty darn bad. I don't know how it would affect a baby, but to be 100% safe I would seek professional opinions.

I would be afraid to have kids with a guy that takes lithium.

Lithium is a very powerful drug. I am sure that your friend and his wife understand it and its effects. That is very important.
I, too, would be concerned about having a baby with a person who has to take lithium, for two reasons. First, there is always the chance that he might stop taking his lithium and revert to whatever destructive potentially violent depressive behavior he might have exhibited that caused him to be so severely medicated in the first place. Second, what if his illness is genetic and can be passed on to the child? There is enough that can go wrong just by chance, I don't know that I would want to willfully expose my child to such a grave illness.
They might want to discuss genetic counseling, or even adoption, as alternatives.

However, if they are certain in their commitment to have a child together, then they absolutely MUST speak with their doctor about the risks involved.
Anything that the parents' body is exposed to could potentially be passed on through their genes into the child. The risk is far greater where the mother is concerned because the fetus is exposed to her for so much longer, both in the womb and during breast-feeding.
What I have heard is that it is dangerous for a pregnant woman to take lithium during the first months of pregnancy. I believe what they try is to gradually reduce her dose, get her pregnant and perhaps use a substitute that is less harmful if necessary, until the fetus is pass the danger point. (I think that was a Lifetime Original Movie...)
I am not sure if sperm carry lithium.

Definitely, make sure they consult a doctor before they do anything.

The latest psychology studies do show that mental illness does have a genetic link. I can't think of anything lithium would be given except for more psychotic type illness.

I'd like to add here that Lithium is not necessarily for violent behavior. I'm on it for life. They have tried me on several other anti depressants before the Lithium, but not a single one helped. It depends on the chemical imbalance taking place in the brain, and a body's reaction to the drug, just like any other medication. What works for one, may not work for another.

as for being genetic, yes it is, BUT it does not affect ALL children of the person that requires that medication. I have 5 children, and out of the 5, 2 have ADHD, and only ONE of those 2 have been diagnosed with the same disorder I have. The other 3 have not one thing wrong, mentally, physically, or otherwise ( tho I did have to stop taking all meds while preg )

Lady I agree that being on lithium does not mean you can't have children or live a normal life.As long as the person is responsible and all takes there meds and has a strong partner is important.