Lithium carbonate: immediate-release capsules (150 mg, 300 mg, 600 mg) and tablets (300 mg); extended-release tablets (300 mg, 450 mg). Lithium citrate: oral solution (8 mEq/5 mL, equivalent to 300 mg lithium carbonate per 5 mL) for patients unable to swallow tablets.
fda_max
String
No defined absolute maximum; dosing is guided by serum level monitoring. Levels above 1.5 mEq/L carry increasing toxicity risk. Levels consistently above 1.2 mEq/L are generally not maintained in clinical practice.'"`UNIQ--ref-00000052-QINU`"'
pill_id
Text
routes
List of String, delimiter: ,
Oral
onset
String
Antimanic effects begin within 5-7 days of reaching therapeutic serum levels, with full response often requiring 2-3 weeks. For acute mania, a neuroleptic is typically added for rapid sedation while lithium takes effect.'"`UNIQ--ref-00000053-QINU`"'
duration
String
halflife
String
Approximately 18-24 hours after acute administration; may extend to 36-48 hours with chronic dosing as tissue compartments equilibrate. Serum trough levels should be drawn 12 hours after the last dose for accurate interpretation.'"`UNIQ--ref-00000055-QINU`"'
bioavailability
String
pregnancy
String
legal
String
Not a controlled substance in the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Canada, or Australia. Prescription-only in all of these jurisdictions due to the narrow therapeutic index and the need for serum monitoring. No abuse potential has been identified.
