Psychiatry · Mood stabiliser
Lithium Carbonate
Dose
400 mg PO nocte; adjust to trough level 0.6–0.8 mmol/L (12 h post-dose).
Contraindications
- • Untreated hypothyroidism
- • Significant renal impairment
- • Dehydration/sodium depletion
Use
Bipolar prophylaxis; reduces suicide risk; augmentation in resistant depression.
Monitoring
Level at 5–7 days after any change then 3-monthly; U&E, calcium and TFTs 6-monthly.
Side effects
- • Tremor, polyuria/polydipsia
- • Hypothyroidism
- • Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus
- • Toxicity: ataxia, coarse tremor, confusion, seizures
Related in WardRound
Always confirm dose against your local formulary / BNF before prescribing.
