What common side effect may occur with the use of Lithium?

The side effect commonly associated with the use of lithium is a coarse tremor. Lithium is a mood stabilizer that is primarily used to treat bipolar disorder, and it can affect the central nervous system, leading to various neurological symptoms. A coarse tremor often presents as a fine shaking of the hands and can occur in patients on lithium therapy, especially at higher serum levels or when there are fluctuations in the medication. This tremor signifies the drug's potential toxicity or can be a result of pharmacodynamic effects as lithium interacts with neuronal processes.

Weight loss is not frequently reported with lithium use; in fact, some patients experience weight gain instead due to changes in appetite and metabolism. While dry mouth and sleep disturbances can occur in some patients taking various psychiatric medications, including those for mood stabilization, they are not as directly linked to lithium itself as the tremor is. Therefore, coarse tremor stands out as a well-established and recognized side effect specifically associated with lithium therapy.