TabletsClinical Overview
Lithium Carbonate is the classical mood-stabilizing monovalent cation on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines. It alters neuronal sodium transport, inhibits inositol monophosphatase (depleting free intracellular inositol and dampening phosphoinositide signaling), and inhibits glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3beta), providing neuroprotective neuroplasticity. Indicated for the treatment of acute manic and mixed episodes in bipolar disorder and long-term maintenance therapy to prevent bipolar relapses and decrease suicide risk.
Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients
Verified Clinical References
Usage Guidelines
Swallow prolonged-release tablets whole with a full glass of water, with or after meals to minimize nausea. Do not crush or chew. Maintain consistent daily fluid and dietary sodium intake; dehydration or salt restriction causes toxic lithium accumulation.
General Administration Advice: Adhere strictly to the prescribed dosage, frequency, and treatment course. For oral medications, swallow with sufficient water. Never stop antibiotics, psychiatric medications, or antihypertensives abruptly without clinical direction.
Possible Side Effects
Common: Fine hand tremor, polyuria, polydipsia, mild nausea, diarrhea, weight gain, metallic taste, fatigue. Rare/Severe: Boxed warning: Lithium toxicity (serum level >= 1.5 mEq/L: coarse tremor, ataxia, confusion, convulsions, coma, irreversible neurotoxicity); nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, hypothyroidism, and goiter.
*Note: Individual physiological responses vary. While many patients experience few or no side effects, notify your treating physician if adverse reactions persist or if hypersensitivity (angioedema, skin rash, dyspnea) occurs.
Precautions & Warnings
Black box warning: Lithium toxicity is closely related to serum concentrations and can occur at doses close to therapeutic levels (target: 0.6-1.2 mEq/L). Regular serum lithium, renal function, electrolytes, and thyroid monitoring are mandatory. Contraindicated in severe renal disease and severe dehydration. Avoid concurrent NSAIDs, ACE inhibitors, and thiazide diuretics which elevate lithium levels.
Schedule H (Prescription Required)
This medication is scheduled under statutory drug regulatory frameworks (CDSCO / Drugs & Cosmetics Rules). Dispensing requires a valid medical prescription from a registered medical practitioner. Self-medication or unsupervised dosage adjustment carries significant clinical risks.
Medical Disclaimer: Statutory Clinical Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational and price-transparency purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, clinical diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Always consult a registered medical practitioner or qualified pharmacist before initiating, modifying, or substituting any medication regimen.