Lithium is a prescription mood stabilizer most commonly used to treat bipolar disorder and related mood disturbances. It helps reduce the intensity and frequency of mood swings, including episodes of mania and, to a lesser extent, depressive symptoms. It is sometimes used as an augmentation strategy in major depressive disorder when other treatments have not fully controlled symptoms. It may also be prescribed for certain other conditions under specialist care, such as certain types of schizophrenia or cluster headaches, but these uses are less common and often off-label or situational. Therapy with lithium requires careful monitoring of blood levels, kidney and thyroid function, and potential interactions with other medicines, as well as attention to side effects and adherence, since the therapeutic window is narrow and toxicity can occur if levels rise. Key points to know:
- Primary use: mood stabilization in bipolar disorder (manic, hypomanic, and maintenance phases).
- Onset and duration: benefits may take several weeks to months to become evident; ongoing treatment may be needed for years or lifelong in some cases.
- Monitoring: regular blood tests to track lithium levels, kidney function (creatinine, GFR), thyroid function (TSH, free T4), and electrolytes; monitoring for signs of toxicity (nausea, tremor, confusion, ataxia) is essential.
- Dosing: individualized based on age, health, and concomitant medications; requires gradual titration and careful follow-up to stay within the therapeutic range.
- Considerations: won’t “cure” bipolar disorder but aims to prevent relapse and stabilize mood; adherence and ongoing evaluation of risks and benefits are crucial; some patients may not respond or may have contraindications.
If you’d like, I can tailor this to your specific situation (e.g., for bipolar I vs bipolar II, maintenance vs acute treatment, or discussion of common side effects and monitoring schedules).
