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Introduction

Lithium is an effective treatment in bipolar disorder and can be used for acute mania and depression as well as the prevention of depressive and manic episodes.  At therapeutic doses, lithium is associated with a number of adverse effects across multiple organ systems.  Lithium also has a narrow therapeutic index, which elevates the risk of toxicity.  Therefore, patients require routine monitoring of serum lithium levels.

Indications

  • Bipolar disorder:  Lithium is effective as acute treatment of manic and depressive episodes and for maintenance treatment to prevent recurrence of a manic or depressive episode.  It is also effective in reducing the risk of suicide in patients with bipolar disorder.
  • Schizoaffective disorder:  Lithium can be used as an adjunctive agent to an antipsychotic for treatment of major mood episodes in bipolar-type or depressive-type schizoaffective disorder.

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