Lithium (medication)
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| Trade names | Camcolit, Eskalith, Lithobid, others |
| AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
| MedlinePlus | a681039 |
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| Routes of administration |
by mouth, parenteral |
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| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Bioavailability | depends on formulation |
| Protein binding | None |
| Metabolism | Renal |
| Biological half-life | 24 h, 36 h (elderly) |
| Excretion | >95% renal |
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| Chemical and physical data | |
| Formula | Li+ |
| Molar mass | 6.941 g/mol |
| 3D model (Jmol) | |
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Lithium compounds, also known as lithium salts, are primarily used as a psychiatric medication. This includes in the treatment of major depressive disorder that does not improve following the use of other antidepressants and bipolar disorder. In these disorders, it reduces the risk of suicide. Lithium is taken by mouth.
Common side effects include increased urination, shakiness of the hands, and increased thirst. Serious side effects include hypothyroidism, diabetes insipidus, and lithium toxicity. Blood level monitoring is recommended to decrease the risk of potential toxicity. If levels become too high, diarrhea, vomiting, poor coordination, sleepiness, and ringing in the ears may occur. If used during pregnancy, lithium can cause problems in the baby. It appears to be safe to use while breastfeeding. Lithium salts are classified as mood stabilizers. How they work is not specifically known.
In the 1800s, lithium was used in people who had gout, epilepsy, and cancer. Its use in the treatment of mental disorder began in 1948 by John Cade in Australia. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most effective and safe medicines needed in a health system. It is available as a generic medication. The wholesale cost in the developing world in 2014 was between 0.12 and 0.20 USD per day. In the United States at usual doses it costs about 0.90 to 1.20 USD per day.
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