User:Mr. Ibrahem/Lithium (medication)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lithium compounds, also known as lithium salts, are primarily used as a psychiatric medication.[2] It is primarily used to treat bipolar disorder and treat major depressive disorder that does not improve following the use of antidepressants.[2] In these disorders, it reduces the risk of suicide.[3] Lithium is taken by mouth.[2]
Clinical data | |
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Trade names | Many[1] |
AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
MedlinePlus | a681039 |
License data | |
Pregnancy category |
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Routes of administration | By mouth, parenteral |
Drug class | Mood stabilizer |
Legal status | |
Legal status | |
Pharmacokinetic data | |
Bioavailability | depends on formulation |
Protein binding | None |
Metabolism | Kidney |
Elimination half-life | 24 h, 36 h (elderly)[2] |
Excretion | >95% kidney |
Identifiers | |
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Chemical and physical data | |
Formula | Li+ |
Molar mass | 6.941 g/mol |
3D model (JSmol) | |
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Common side effects include increased urination, shakiness of the hands, and increased thirst.[2] Serious side effects include hypothyroidism, diabetes insipidus, and lithium toxicity.[2] Blood level monitoring is recommended to decrease the risk of potential toxicity.[2] If levels become too high, diarrhea, vomiting, poor coordination, sleepiness, and ringing in the ears may occur.[2] If used during pregnancy, lithium can cause problems in the baby.[2] It appears to be safe to use while breastfeeding.[4] Lithium salts are classified as mood stabilizers.[2] How lithium works is not specifically known.[2]
In the nineteenth century, lithium was used in people who had gout, epilepsy, and cancer.[5] Its use in the treatment of mental disorders began in 1948 by John Cade in Australia.[5] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[6] It is available as a generic medication.[2] The wholesale cost in the developing world in 2014 was between US$0.12 and US$0.20 per day.[7] In the United States at usual doses it costs about US$0.90 to US$1.20 per day.[2] In 2017, it was the 180th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than three million prescriptions.[8][9]