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Lithium is a prescription mood stabilizer commonly administered as lithium carbonate tablets or capsules. Current lithium carbonate capsule labeling covers treatment of acute manic or mixed episodes and maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder in adults and children age 7 and older. Lithium has a narrow therapeutic range and requires blood-level monitoring.
read more about lithium ...The exact mechanism responsible for lithium's mood-stabilizing effects is unknown. Lithium is not metabolized and is eliminated primarily through the kidneys. Changes in kidney function, hydration, sodium balance, or interacting medicines can affect its blood concentration.
Current lithium carbonate capsule labeling includes monotherapy for acute manic or mixed episodes and maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder from age 7. Kidney function, thyroid function, electrolytes, and medication interactions are evaluated before treatment and monitored afterward.
For current immediate-release lithium carbonate capsules, adults and pediatric patients weighing more than 30 kg commonly start at 300 mg three times daily. Children weighing 20 kg to 30 kg start at 300 mg twice daily. Doses are adjusted using 12-hour serum lithium levels, with labeled targets of 0.8 to 1.2 mEq/L for acute episodes and 0.8 to 1 mEq/L for maintenance. Other formulations use different regimens.
Lithium carries a boxed warning for toxicity that can occur near therapeutic blood concentrations. Severe toxicity can cause confusion, loss of coordination, seizures, dangerous heart rhythm changes, kidney failure, coma, and death. Other risks include excessive urination and thirst, dehydration, chronic kidney disease, thyroid dysfunction, and high calcium. Diuretics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and medicines acting on the renin-angiotensin system can increase lithium concentrations.
Current capsule labeling includes acute manic or mixed episodes and maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder from age 7.
Immediate-release lithium carbonate capsules commonly start at 300 mg three times daily in adults with suitable kidney function.
Lithium has a narrow therapeutic range, and toxic reactions can occur near treatment concentrations.
Yes. The boxed warning concerns lithium toxicity, which can become severe or fatal.
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Lithium. LiverTox. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547877/. Date Accessed October 13, 2026.
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Lithium. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519062/. Date Accessed October 13, 2026.
Lithium Carbonate. PubChem. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Lithium-carbonate. Date Accessed October 13, 2026.