Important: This page is general information, not medical advice. It does not recommend or prescribe any treatment. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.
Quick facts
- How it is given
- oral
- Type
- human prescription drug
- RxNorm ID
- 311355
We do not publish dosing. How much of this medicine to take, how often, and for how long depends on your age, weight, kidney and liver function, other conditions and other medicines. That is a decision for the person who prescribes or dispenses it. Follow the directions on your own pack and ask your pharmacist if anything is unclear.
What it is used to treat
Lithium is a mood-stabilizing agent indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of bipolar I disorder: • Treatment of acute manic and mixed episodes in patients 7 years and older [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )] • Maintenance treatment in patients 7 years and older [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )] Lithium is a mood-stabilizing agent indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of bipolar I disorder: • Treatment of acute manic and mixed episodes in patients 7 years and older ( 1 ) • Maintenance treatment in patients 7 years and older ( 1 )
About this medicine
Each capsule for oral administration contains lithium carbonate USP, 150 mg, 300 mg or 600 mg and the following inactive ingredients: gelatin, sodium lauryl sulfate, talc, titanium dioxide and the imprinting ink contains black iron oxide E172 dye, butyl alcohol, dehydrated alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, potassium hydroxide, propylene glycol, shellac and strong ammonia solution. Lithium is an element of the alkali-metal group with atomic number 3, atomic weight 6.94, and an emission line at 671 nm on the flame photometer. Lithium Carbonate USP is a white, light, alkaline powder with molecular formula Li 2 CO 3 and molecular weight 73.89.
How it works
12.1 Mechanism of Action The mechanism of action of lithium as a mood stabilizing agent is unknown.
Who should not take it
Lithium is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any inactive ingredient in the lithium carbonate capsule or lithium citrate products [see Adverse Reactions ( 6 )]. Known hypersensitivity to any inactive ingredient in the drug product ( 4 )
Warnings and cautions
• Lithium-Induced Polyuria: May develop during initiation of treatment. Increases risk of lithium toxicity. Educate patient to avoid dehydration. Monitor for lithium toxicity and metabolic acidosis. Discontinue lithium or treat with amiloride as a therapeutic agent ( 5.2 ). • Hyponatremia: Symptoms are more severe with faster-onset hyponatremia. Dehydration from protracted sweating, diarrhea, or elevated temperatures from infection increases risk of hyponatremia and lithium toxicity. Educate patients on maintaining a normal diet with salt and staying hydrated. Monitor for and treat hyponatremia and lithium toxicity, which may necessitate a temporary reduction or cessation of lithium and infusion of serum sodium ( 5.3 ). • Lithium-Induced Chronic Kidney Disease: Associated with structural changes in patients on chronic lithium therapy. Monitor kidney function during treatment with lithium ( 5.4 ). • Encephalopathic Syndrome: Increased risk in patients treated with lithium and an antipsychotic. Monitor routinely for changes to cognitive function ( 5.5 ). • Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism: Monitor thyroid function regularly ( 5.7 ). • Hypercalcemia and Hyperparathyroidism: Associated with long-term lithium use. Monitor serum calcium ( 5.8 ). 5.1 Lithium Toxicity The toxic concentrations for lithium (≥1.5 mEq/L) are close to the therapeutic range (0.8 to 1.2mEq/L). Some patients abnormally sensitive to lithium may exhibit toxic signs at serum concentrations that are considered within the therapeutic range [see Boxed Warning, Dosage and Administration ( 2.3 )] . Lithium may take up to 24 hours to distribute into brain tissue, so occurrence of acute toxicity symptoms may be delayed. Neurological signs of lithium toxicity range from mild neurological adverse reactions such as fine tremor, lightheadedness, lack of coordination, and weakness; to moderate manifestations like giddiness, apathy, drowsiness, hyperreflexia, muscle twitching, ataxia, blurred vision, tinnitus, and slurred speech; and severe manifestations such as clonus, confusion, seizure, coma, and death. […]
Reported side effects
The following adverse reactions are described in greater detail in other sections: • Acute Lithium Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Lithium-Induced Polyuria [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] • Hyponatremia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] • Lithium-Induced Chronic Kidney Disease [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] • Encephalopathic Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] • Serotonin Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] • Hypothyroidism or Hyperthyroidism [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] • Hypercalcemia and Hyperparathyroidism [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 )] • Unmasking of Brugada Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 )] • Pseudotumor Cerebri [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.10 )] Common Adverse Reactions: • Adult Patients: fine hand tremor, polyuria, mild thirst, nausea, general discomfort during initial treatment ( 6 ) • Pediatric Patients (7 to 17 years): nausea/vomiting, polyuria, thyroid abnormalities, tremor, thirst/polydipsia, dizziness, rash/dermatitis, ataxia/gait disturbance, decreased appetite, and blurry vision ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Hetero Labs Limited at 1-866-495-1995 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. Pediatric Patients (7 to 17 years): Bipolar I Disorder: The following findings are based on an 8-week, placebo-controlled study for acute manic or mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder in pediatric patients 7 to 17 years (N= 81). In this study, lithium was administered at daily doses ranging from 300 to 3,600 (mean dose 1,483 mg ± 584) with serum levels ranging from 0 to 2.0 (mean level 0.98 mEq/L ± 0.47). […]
Interactions with other medicines
• Diuretics, NSAID, renin-angiotensin system antagonists, or metronidazole may increase lithium serum concentrations. Recommend frequent monitoring of serum lithium concentration and adjust dosage when necessary. ( 2.3 , 7.1 ) • Serotonergic Agents: Increased risk of serotonin syndrome when co-administered with lithium. ( 5.6 , 7.1 ) • Antipsychotics: There have been reports of neurologic adverse reactions in patients treated with lithium and an antipsychotic, ranging from extrapyramidal symptoms to neuroleptic malignant syndrome. ( 5.5 , 7.1 ) 7.1 Drugs Having Clinically Important Interactions with Lithium Table 4: Clinically Important Drug Interactions with Lithium Diuretics Clinical Impact: Diuretic-induced sodium loss may reduce lithium clearance and increase serum lithium concentrations . Intervention: More frequent monitoring of serum electrolyte and lithium concentrations. Reduce lithium dosage based on serum lithium concentration and clinical response [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.3 ), Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )]. Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) Clinical Impact: NSAID decrease renal blood flow, resulting in decreased renal clearance and increased serum lithium concentrations. Intervention: More frequent serum lithium concentration monitoring. Reduce lithium dosage based on serum lithium concentration and clinical response [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.3 )]. Renin-Angiotensin System Antagonists Clinical Impact: Concomitant use increase steady-state serum lithium concentrations. Intervention: More frequent monitoring of serum lithium concentration. Reduce lithium dosage based on serum lithium concentration and clinical response [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.3 )]. Serotonergic Drugs Clinical Impact: Concomitant use can precipitate serotonin syndrome. Intervention: Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome, particularly during lithium initiation. If serotonin syndrome occurs, consider discontinuation of lithium and/or concomitant serotonergic drugs [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] . […]
Use in specific groups
• Pregnancy: May cause fetal and/or neonatal harm ( 8.1 ) • Renal Impairment: Use caution during dose selection, starting with dosages less than those for patients with normal renal function while carefully monitoring for side effects ( 2.5 , 6 ) 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary: Lithium may cause harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Early voluntary reports to international birth registries suggested an increase in cardiovascular malformations, especially for Ebstein’s anomaly, with first trimester use of lithium. Subsequent case-control and cohort studies indicate that the increased risk for cardiac malformations is likely to be small; however, the data are insufficient to establish a drug-associated risk. There are concerns for maternal and/or neonatal lithium toxicity during late pregnancy and the postpartum period [see Clinical Considerations]. Published animal developmental and toxicity studies in mice and rats report an increased incidence of fetal mortality, decreased fetal weight, increased fetal skeletal abnormalities, and cleft palate (mouse fetuses only) with oral doses of lithium that produced serum concentrations similar to the human therapeutic range. Other published animal studies report adverse effects on embryonic implantation in rats after lithium administration. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population(s) is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. Clinical Considerations: Dose Adjustments During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period: If the decision is made to continue lithium treatment during pregnancy, serum lithium concentrations should be monitored and the dosage adjusted during pregnancy. Two to three days prior to delivery, lithium dosage should be decreased or discontinued to reduce the risk of maternal and/or neonatal toxicity. […]
If too much is taken
The toxic concentrations for lithium (≥ 1.5 mEq/L) are close to the therapeutic concentrations [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. At lithium concentrations greater than 3 mEq/L, patients may progress to seizures, coma, and irreversible brain damage. Treatment: For current information on the management of poisoning or overdosage, contact the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 or www.poison.org . No specific antidote for lithium poisoning is known. Mild symptoms of lithium toxicity can usually be treated by reduction in dose or cessation of the drug. In severe cases of lithium poisoning, the goal of treatment is elimination of this ion from the patient. Administration of gastric lavage should be performed, but use of activated charcoal is not recommended as it does not significantly absorb lithium ions. Hemodialysis is the treatment of choice as it is an effective and rapid means of removing lithium in patients with severe toxicity. As an alternative option, urea, mannitol and aminophylline can induce a significant increase in lithium excretion. Appropriate supportive care for the patient should be undertaken. Patients with impaired consciousness should have their airway protected and it is critical to correct any volume depletion or electrolyte imbalance. Patients should be monitored to prevent hypernatremia while receiving normal saline and careful regulation of kidney function is of utmost importance. Serum lithium concentrations should be closely monitored as there may be a rebound in serum lithium concentrations as a result of delayed diffusion from the body tissues. Likewise, during the late recovery phase, lithium should be re-administered with caution taking into account the possible release of significant lithium stores in body tissues.
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This page is built from the openFDA record of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approved labelling for this product, effective 27 April 2026. Label text has been shortened and reformatted for readability; safety wording has not been altered in meaning. FDA labelling describes products approved in the United States — brand names, strengths, formulations and approved uses may differ in your country. Always read the leaflet that comes with your own pack. PocketsInfo is not affiliated with, and is not endorsed by, the FDA. Retrieved 2026-07-30.