Last reviewed · How we verify
Lithobid (lithium carbonate)
Lithium is the gold standard treatment for bipolar disorder and the only psychiatric medication proven to reduce suicide risk. Discovered for psychiatric use by John Cade in 1949, approved by the FDA in 1970. Requires therapeutic drug monitoring. Available generically. WHO Essential Medicine.
At a glance
| Generic name | lithium carbonate |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Lithobid, Eskalith, Lithane |
| Sponsor | Generic (multiple manufacturers) |
| Drug class | Mood stabilizer |
| Target | Inositol-1(or 4)-monophosphatase 1, Glycogen synthase kinase-3 |
| Modality | Inorganic salt (element) |
| Therapeutic area | Immunology |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
| First approval | 1970-04-06 (United States) |
Approved indications
- Bipolar affective disorder, current episode manic
- Bipolar disorder
- Bipolar disorder in remission
- Dysmenorrhea
- Fever
- Headache disorder
- Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Pain
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Boxed warnings
- WARNING Lithium toxicity is closely related to serum lithium levels, and can occur at doses close to therapeutic levels. Facilities for prompt and accurate serum lithium determinations should be available before initiating therapy [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ].
Common side effects
- Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Thirst/Polydipsia
- Metabolism and nutrition disorders
- General Disorders
- Investigations
- Tremor
- Rash/Dermatitis
- Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
- Nervous system disorders
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Decreased appetite
- Ataxia/Gait disturbance
Serious adverse events
- Epileptiform seizures
- Coma
- Ventricular tachyarrhythmia
- Sinoatrial block
- Sinus bradycardia
- Acute dystonia
- Oliguria
- Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus
- Myasthenic syndromes
Drug interactions
- Diuretics, ACE inhibitors, ARBs
- Serotonergic drugs (e.g., SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs)
- Methyldopa, Phenytoin, Carbamazepine
- Acetazolamide, Urea, Xanthine preparations, Alkalinizing agents (e.g., sodium bicarbonate)
- Iodide preparations (e.g., potassium iodide)
- Calcium channel blocking agents
- Metronidazole
- Fluoxetine
- Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) (e.g., Indomethacin, Piroxicam, COX-2 inhibitors)
- Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors
Key clinical trials
- Fractional Spinal Anesthesia and Systemic Hemodynamics in Frail Elderly Hip Fracture Patients. (NA)
- Evaluation of the Effect of Spry Belt Treatment on Bone Turnover Marker Profile in a 12-week, Sham-controlled Clinical Study (NA)
- A Randomized Clinical Trial of 3-unit Posterior Zirconia-ceramic Fixed Dental Prosthesis (FDPs) Veneered With Layered and Milled (CAD-on) Veneering Ceramics (NA)
- A Single Dose, Three-Treatment, Three-Period, Six-Sequence Crossover Bioequivalency Study of 450 mg Lithium Carbonate Extended Release Tablets Under Fed Conditions (NA)
- A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial on the Effectiveness of Lithium in Comparison to Carbimazole as a Bridging Therapy Prior to Radioactive Iodine for Hyperthyroidism (Phase 4)
- Targeting mTOR/GSK3 With Lithium Augmentation to Enhance and Sustain Rapid Antidepressant Actions of Ketamine in Adults With Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Precision Medicine Approach for Psychiatr (Phase 2)
- Lithium Versus Cariprazine in the Acute Phase Treatment of Bipolar Depression: a Pragmatic Head-to-head Open, Randomized Multicenter Study: The 9th Study of the Danish University Antidepressant Group (Phase 4)
- All-ceramic Crowns in Patients With Sleep Bruxism - a Randomized Clinical Trial (NA)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| FDA label | Mechanism, indications, dosing, boxed warnings, drug interactions |
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |