What it's used for
- Bipolar disorder (prevention and treatment of mania)
- Treatment-resistant depression
Read about: Depression, Bipolar disorder
How it works: Exact mechanism unclear; affects intracellular signalling and neurotransmission.
Common side effects
- Thirst and passing more urine
- Tremor
- Weight gain
- Thyroid and kidney effects
Tapering considerations
- Stopping quickly is linked to a high risk of manic relapse.
- Reduce over at least 4 weeks, ideally months.
For prescribers & facilitators
- Narrow therapeutic range — monitor levels, renal and thyroid function.
- Interacts with NSAIDs, ACE inhibitors and diuretics.
Sources
- 01Effects of the rate of discontinuing lithium maintenance treatment in bipolar disorders
Baldessarini et al., Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 1996
- 02Bipolar disorder: assessment and management (CG185)
NICE Guideline, 2014
- 03The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines
Horowitz & Taylor, Wiley-Blackwell, 2024