Lithium Carbonate Uses

Lithium carbonate is used to prevent and treat episodes of mania (abnormal excitement and euphoric mood) in people with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

There may be other uses of lithium carbonate—your pharmacist or doctor can give you further drug information.

Lithium Carbonate Mechanism of Action

Lithium carbonate works by affecting the levels of certain natural chemicals in the central nervous system that regulate mood. 

Lithium Carbonate Doses

Drug therapy with lithium carbonate is available in the form of immediate-release tablets (300 mg), immediate-release capsules (150 mg, 300 mg, and 600 mg), long-acting or extended-release tablets (brand name Lithobid) (300 mg), and an oral solution (8 mEq/5 mL) (8 mEq contains 300 mg of lithium carbonate). 

The usual starting dose of the immediate-release lithium carbonate capsule, tablet, and oral liquid in adults and children weighing more than 30 kg is 300 mg three times a day. This is increased by 300 mg every 3 days to a dose of 600 mg 2-3 times a day to treat an acute episode of mania. For long-term maintenance treatment, the dose is usually 1-2 lithium carbonate tablets (300-600 mg) 2-3 times a day.

The 300 mg extended-release tablets are usually taken 2-3 times a day. The dose of the extended-release tablets during the acute manic phase is typically 1,800 mg per day (three tablets (900 mg) in the morning and three tablets (900 mg) in the evening). The usual dose for long-term maintenance lithium treatment is usually 1,200 mg per day (600 mg in the morning and 600 mg in the evening).

The starting dose in pediatric patients weighing 20-30 kg is 8 mEq (300 mg) twice daily. Maintenance treatment in pediatric patients is usually with 16-32 mEq daily in divided doses.

Lower doses may be prescribed to elderly patients and patients with reduced renal clearance (kidney disease), as this can affect lithium excretion and increase the risk of toxicity.

You will need careful monitoring of serum lithium concentrations to check your response to the medication and prevent lithium toxicity. Accurate patient evaluation requires that you have access to laboratory facilities for prompt measurement of serum lithium levels. You should discuss this with your healthcare provider before starting lithium therapy.