Q. My husband is now taking Depakote after taking lithium for 21 years. He has been episode free. His new doctor (gp) has put him on lotrell, baby aspirin, covera. He was taking only covera with the lithium. Is their a blood pressure medicine he can take with lithium and make his life simpler ?

  A. The only types of blood pressure medications you need to worry about are ones that change the excretion of the lithium by the kidneys. Other than diuretics (medications that make you urinate out sodium, which causes an increase in lithium concentrations), the others are pretty much all okay. Discuss your concerns with the prescribing doctor. It should be easy to address.