Lithium | vital.ly

Lithium

Scientific names: Lithium, Li, atomic number 3

Alternate names: Carbonate de Lithium, Citrate de Lithium, Lithium Aspartate, Lithium Carbonate, Lithium Citrate, Lithium Gluconate, Lithium Orotate, Lithium Sulfate, Litio, Numéro Atomique 3, Orotate de Lithium

Scientific names: Lithium, Li, atomic number 3

Background

Lithium is a type of metal that is consumed in the diet, mainly in grains and vegetables. Various forms are used in supplements in small doses.

Lithium gets its name from "lithos," the Greek word for stone, because it is present in trace amounts in virtually all rocks. It might help mental disorders by increasing the activity of chemical messengers in the brain. Lithium might also be needed for other functions, like the development of blood cells.

People use lithium supplements for alcohol use disorder, Alzheimer disease, depression, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any of these uses.

Lithium carbonate and lithium citrate are approved by the U.S. FDA as prescription drugs for bipolar disorder. These and other lithium drugs aren't covered in this topic. Lithium supplements contain much lower doses of lithium than drugs.

Safety Safety definitions

When taken by mouth: Prescription lithium is likely safe when taken appropriately while under the guidance of a healthcare provider. Lithium carbonate and lithium citrate are U.S. FDA approved prescription drugs. Lithium prescription drugs can cause muscle weakness, fatigue, weight gain, and other side effects. But there isn't enough information to know if lithium supplements are safe to use or what the side effects might be.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy: Lithium is possibly unsafe when taken during pregnancy. It can poison a developing baby and increase the risk of birth defects, including heart problems. But lithium use may be monitored by a healthcare provider when the benefits of using prescription lithium outweigh the risks to the baby.

Breast-feeding: Lithium is likely unsafe to use while breast-feeding. Lithium can enter breast milk and cause unwanted side effects in a nursing infant. It should only be used in very rare circumstances with close monitoring by a healthcare provider.

Children: Lithium citrate and lithium carbonate are possibly safe when used appropriately under the supervision of a healthcare professional in children 7 years and older. There isn't enough reliable information available to know if lithium supplements are safe to use in children or what the side effects might be.

Brugada syndrome: Lithium shouldn't be used in people who have Brugada syndrome or those who have a history of abnormal ECG readings. Also, stop taking lithium and contact your doctor if you start feeling faint or have changes in heartbeat.

Dehydration: Lithium can make dehydration worse. If you are dehydrated or have low salt levels you might need to change your lithium dose. Talk to your doctor.

Elderly individuals: Older age, other illnesses, and use of many medications makes it more likely that someone will have serious lithium side effects.

Heart disease: Lithium may cause irregular heart rhythms. This may be a problem, especially for people who have heart disease.

Kidney disease: Lithium is removed from the body by the kidneys. In people with kidney disease, the amount of lithium that is given might need to be reduced.

Low sodium levels: Lithium can lower the level of salt in the blood. If you already have low levels of salt in the blood, use lithium with caution.

Surgery: Lithium might interfere with surgical procedures that involve anesthesia and other drugs that affect the central nervous system. Lithium supplements should be stopped, with the approval of a healthcare provider, at least two weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Thyroid disease: Lithium might make thyroid problems worse. Make sure to have your thyroid function tested regularly.

Effectiveness

Effective Effectiveness definitions

There is interest in using lithium supplements for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Dosing & administration

Lithium is a trace element that is present in some foods. It is also available in prescription drugs. In supplements, there isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of lithium might be. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition.