Lithium

Mental health

Also known as Lithobid

Lithium is a mood stabilizer, the oldest and one of the best-proven treatments for bipolar disorder. It evens out the highs of mania and helps prevent both manic and depressive episodes, and it's one of the few psychiatric medicines shown to reduce suicide risk. Here's the deal you make with lithium: the amount that works is close to the amount that's too much, so regular blood tests aren't optional — they're how you and your doctor keep it safe and effective.

How to take it

When

At the same times every day, exactly as prescribed. Extended-release tablets are swallowed whole — don't crush or chew.

Food

Take it with food or milk to ease stomach upset. Drink plenty of water every day, and keep your salt intake steady — big changes in either can shift your lithium level.

Avoid

Ibuprofen, naproxen, and other NSAIDs — they raise lithium levels. So can dehydration, hot-weather sweating, and some blood pressure medicines. Check before adding anything new.

Boxed warning

Lithium toxicity can happen at levels close to the treatment level. Regular blood tests are essential, and you should know the toxicity signs listed below by heart.

Missed a dose?

Take it as soon as you remember, unless it's close to your next dose — then skip the missed one. Never take a double dose; with lithium, doubling up is genuinely dangerous.

Common side effects

A fine trembling of the hands
Feeling more thirsty and peeing more than usual
Mild nausea, especially at first — food helps
Some weight gain over time
Your doctor will also watch your thyroid and kidneys with routine blood tests

Call a doctor if

Severe shaking, repeated vomiting or diarrhea, confusion, slurred speech, or stumbling like you're drunk — these are signs of lithium toxicity; get help now
Extreme drowsiness you can't fight off, or a seizure — this is an emergency, call for help immediately
You're sick with vomiting, diarrhea, or a fever and can't keep fluids down — dehydration raises lithium levels fast; call your doctor right away and get seen
Fainting or an irregular heartbeat — get medical help now
Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat — this is an emergency, call for help immediately

Educational only. This summary is drawn from public FDA labeling and MedlinePlus and simplified for readability. Your prescription label and your pharmacist always come first — doses and instructions vary from person to person.