Clinical data | |
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Trade names | Many[1] |
AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
MedlinePlus | a681039 |
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Routes of administration | By mouth, parenteral |
Drug class | Mood stabilizer |
ATC code | |
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Pharmacokinetic data | |
Bioavailability | Depends on formulation |
Protein binding | None |
Metabolism | Kidney |
Elimination half-life | 24 h, 36 h (elderly)[4] |
Excretion | >95% kidney |
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CAS Number | |
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ChEBI | |
Chemical and physical data | |
Formula | Li+ |
Molar mass | 6.94 g·mol−1 |
3D model (JSmol) | |
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Certain lithium compounds, also known as lithium salts, are used as psychiatric medication,[4] primarily for bipolar disorder and for major depressive disorder.[4] Lithium is taken orally (by mouth).[4]
Common side effects include increased urination, shakiness of the hands, and increased thirst.[4] Serious side effects include hypothyroidism, diabetes insipidus, and lithium toxicity.[4] Blood level monitoring is recommended to decrease the risk of potential toxicity.[4] If levels become too high, diarrhea, vomiting, poor coordination, sleepiness, and ringing in the ears may occur.[4] Lithium is teratogenic and can cause birth defects at high doses, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy. The use of lithium while breastfeeding is controversial; however, many international health authorities advise against it, and the long-term outcomes of perinatal lithium exposure have not been studied.[5] The American Academy of Pediatrics lists lithium as contraindicated for pregnancy and lactation.[6] The United States Food and Drug Administration categorizes lithium as having positive evidence of risk for pregnancy and possible hazardous risk for lactation.[6][7]
Lithium salts are classified as mood stabilizers.[4] Lithium's mechanism of action is not known.[4]
In the nineteenth century, lithium was used in people who had gout, epilepsy, and cancer.[8] Its use in the treatment of mental disorders began with Carl Lange in Denmark[9] and William Alexander Hammond in New York City,[10] who used lithium to treat mania from the 1870s onwards, based on now-discredited theories involving its effect on uric acid. Use of lithium for mental disorders was re-established (on a different theoretical basis) in 1948 by John Cade in Australia.[8] Lithium carbonate is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines,[11] and is available as a generic medication.[4] In 2020, it was the 197th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 2 million prescriptions.[12][13] It appears to be underused in older people,[14] though the reason for that is unclear.
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