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Lithium

Mood stabilizer • Brands: Lithobid

Last reviewed: 2025-09-23

Dosing & forms

  • Forms/strengths: —
  • Frequency: —
  • Food: —
  • Typical range: 600–1800 mg/day (in divided doses)

Mechanism (brief)

Modulates second messenger systems; neuroprotective/neurotrophic effects (exact MoA unknown).

Metabolism & Half‑life

  • Metabolism: Not metabolized, renal excretion.
  • Half‑life: ~18–36 h (longer in elderly).

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM)

Recommended: Yes

Reference range: 0.6–1.2 mEq/L (12 h trough; acute 0.8–1.2).

Sampling: 12‑h trough

View labelExact

Monitoring highlights

  • Serum lithium level — 5–7 days after dose change, then q3–6 months
  • Renal function, thyroid — Baseline and periodically

Sources