Lithium: Price, Dosage & Where to Buy

Lithium is a mood-stabilising medicine used to treat bipolar disorder, including acute manic and mixed episodes and longer-term maintenance treatment. It requires a prescription in the United Kingdom and is available as oral capsules and tablets, including extended-release tablets. Treatment involves regular blood tests because lithium toxicity can occur at concentrations close to those used therapeutically.

Lithium is indicated as a medicine used on its own for acute manic and mixed episodes of bipolar disorder and for maintenance treatment. Acute treatment addresses an episode that is currently occurring, while maintenance treatment is the longer-term use of lithium to maintain mood stability. The label includes adults and children aged 7 years and older.

Safety and effectiveness have not been established for children younger than 7 years with bipolar disorder. Clinical assessment and blood monitoring are part of treatment.

Lithium is described as a mood-stabilising agent. Its precise therapeutic mechanism is not fully understood, but it affects chemical signalling within brain cells and pathways involved in regulating mood. These effects help explain its use during manic or mixed episodes and as maintenance treatment.

Lithium is eliminated mainly through the kidneys, so changes in kidney function can alter its concentration in the blood. Blood tests and clinical assessment are both needed to evaluate treatment safely.

The label lists oral capsules, including gelatin-coated capsules, in 150 mg, 300 mg and 600 mg strengths, and oral tablets and extended-release tablets in 300 mg and 450 mg strengths. The label lists film-coated extended-release tablets in a 300 mg strength. The usual starting dose is 300 mg three times daily as capsules for adults and paediatric patients over 30 kg.

The usual starting dose is 300 mg twice daily as capsules for paediatric patients weighing 20 to 30 kg. The label lists blood testing after 3 days, with samples drawn 12 hours after the last oral dose, and regular testing until stabilisation. The label lists target serum concentrations of 0.8 to 1.2 mEq/L for acute manic or mixed episodes and 0.8 to 1 mEq/L for maintenance treatment.

Kidney function, electrolytes, thyroid function, concurrent medicines and pregnancy status are assessed before treatment. Reduced kidney function requires cautious dose selection and frequent monitoring; severe renal impairment is a reason to avoid lithium.

A missed lithium dose should not be compensated for by doubling a later dose. The appropriate response depends on the formulation and how close it is to the next scheduled dose.

Check the medicine leaflet or ask a pharmacist for advice, particularly if several doses have been missed. Regular dosing and blood monitoring remain important.

Lithium may cause fetal or neonatal harm. Studies suggest that any increased risk of cardiac malformations is likely to be small, but the data are insufficient to establish a drug-associated risk. Late pregnancy and the period after delivery carry concerns about maternal and neonatal lithium toxicity, requiring close monitoring and clinician-managed treatment adjustments.

Lithium passes into breast milk, and toxicity has been reported in breastfed infants. Breastfeeding is not recommended during maternal lithium treatment; infants who are breastfed require close monitoring.

Store at 20°C to 25°C, with excursions permitted to 15°C to 30°C. Protect from moisture. The label specifies a tight, child-resistant container to maintain quality and limit access by children.