Generic Name
Lithium
Brand Name
Eskalith, Eskalith CR, Lithobid, Lithostat, lithium carbonate, and lithium citrate
Class
Mood stabilizer
Proposed Mechanism(s) of Action
Unknown and complex acts on second messenger system, modifies sodium transport across cell membranes (nerve and muscle cells), and modifies neurotransmitter metabolism (serotonin and catecholamines)
Indication
Manic episodes and maintenance of manic-depressive illness
Off-Label Use
Bipolar depression, major depressive disorder, neutropenia, and headache (vascular)
Side Effects
Leukocytosis, polyuria/polydipsia, dry mouth, hand tremor, confusion, decreased memory, headache, muscle weakness, ECG changes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hyperreflexia, muscle twitch, and vertigo
Serious
Lithium toxicity, renal impairment, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, arrhythmia, bradycardia, hypotension, flattening and inversion of T wave, pseudotumor cerebri, and seizures
Common
Ataxia, tremor, polyuria, polydipsia, diarrhea, nausea, weight...
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References and Readings
Physicians’ Desk Reference. (2007). (62nd ed.). Montvale: Thomson PDR.
Stahl, S. M. (2007). Essential psychopharmacology: The prescriber’s guide (2nd ed.). New York: Cambridge University Press.
Additional Information
Drug Interaction Effects. http://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html
Drug Molecule Images. http://www.worldofmolecules.com/drugs/
Free Drug Online and PDA Software. www.epocrates.com
Gene-Based Estimate of Drug interactions. http://mhc.daytondcs.com:8080/cgibin/ddiD4?ver=4&task=getDrugList
Pill Identification. http://www.drugs.com/pill_identification.html
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Courtney, J.C., Akins, C., Gonzalez, E.A. (2018). Lithium. In: Kreutzer, J.S., DeLuca, J., Caplan, B. (eds) Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57111-9_1670
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57111-9_1670
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