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Uses of and Information About the Prescription Drug Lithium

Lithium is a mood stabilizer prescription drug primarily used to prevent or stop mania, which is medically defined as an abnormally excited mood. Mania is usually a part of bipolar disorder, where the patient has abnormally high and low moods. Lithium use must be monitored carefully because too much of the medication can have serious adverse effects on the body.

  1. Other Uses

    • Though lithium is considered primarily an antimanic drug, there are several other uses of the prescription medication, according to MedlinePlus. Lithium can be used to treat blood disorders and other mental illnesses. Schizophrenia, which is usually characterized by delusions, hallucinations and loss of interest in life, can be treated in some cases with lithium. Some children's mental illnesses as well as impulse control problems in adults could also be aided with lithium.

    Dosage

    • Lithium is available in a number of dosage strengths, according to MedlinePlus. The drug is also available as a tablet, liquid solution, capsule or extended-release pill. Most patients take lithium two to four times a day at around the same time. It can take one to three weeks for a patient to feel the full effects of lithium, and the drug should not be stopped suddenly.

    Serious Side Effects

    • Lithium can carry the risk of some serious side effects and also requires regular blood tests to ensure the level of the drug in the body is not becoming toxic, according to MedlinePlus. Side effects associated with lithium treatment that require immediate medical attention include the following: uncontrollable shaking of body parts, muscle weakness or stiffness, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, blackouts, seizures, slurred speech, itching, rash, swelling of body parts such as face, tongue, or eyes, chest tightness and hallucinations.

    Common Side Effects

    • There are some more common side effects associated with lithium medication that usually do not compel emergency medical intervention, according to MedlinePlus. Common side effects include the following: restlessness, gas, stomach ache, stomach bloating, indigestion, weight gain, weight loss, acne, hair loss, and constipation. Other possible side effects are as follows: depression, joint or muscle pain, dry mouth or excessive saliva.

    Cost

    • Most health insurance plans cover most or all of the cost of lithium treatment. However, the amount of patient financial responsibility depends on the person's health-care coverage. Patient assistance programs are available for those who have no prescription coverage and a low income. As of August 2009, the self-pay cash price of 90 150-mg lithium tablets was about $19. A brand-name extended-release form of lithium known as Lithobid was also available, and cost about $195 for 90 300-mg pills.

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