![]() In 1970, Lithium was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of bipolar disorder, which remains its primary use in the United States. Ī bottle of lithium medicine containing 300 mg capsules of lithium carbonate. In 2019, it was the 205th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 2 million prescriptions. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, and is available as a generic medication. Use of lithium for mental disorders was re-established (on a different theoretical basis) in 1948 by John Cade in Australia. Its use in the treatment of mental disorders began with Carl Lange in Denmark and William Alexander Hammond in New York City, who used lithium to treat mania from the 1870s onwards, based on now-discredited theories involving its effect on uric acid. In the nineteenth century, lithium was used in people who had gout, epilepsy, and cancer. How lithium works is not specifically known. Lithium salts are classified as mood stabilizers. The United States Food and Drug Administration categorizes lithium as having positive evidence of risk for pregnancy and possible hazardous risk for lactation. The American Academy of Pediatrics lists lithium as contraindicated for pregnancy and lactation. The use of lithium while breastfeeding is controversial however, many international health authorities advise against it, and the long-term outcomes of perinatal lithium exposure have not been studied. ![]() Lithium is teratogenic, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy and at higher dosages. If levels become too high, diarrhea, vomiting, poor coordination, sleepiness, and ringing in the ears may occur. Blood level monitoring is recommended to decrease the risk of potential toxicity. Serious side effects include hypothyroidism, diabetes insipidus, and lithium toxicity. ![]() Ĭommon side effects include increased urination, shakiness of the hands, and increased thirst. In these disorders, it sometimes reduces the risk of suicide. Certain lithium compounds, also known as lithium salts, are used as psychiatric medication, primarily for bipolar disorder and for major depressive disorder.
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