WARNING
Lithium toxicity is closely related to serum lithium levels, and can occur at doses close to therapeutic levels. Facilities for prompt and accurate serum lithium determinations should be available before initiating therapy (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).
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SUMMARY
Lithium Carbonate Extended Release Tablets USP contain lithium carbonate, a white, light alkaline powder with molecular formula Li2CO3 and molecular weight 73.
Lithium Carbonate Extended Release Tablets USP are indicated in the treatment of manic episodes of manic-depressive illness. Maintenance therapy prevents or diminishes the intensity of subsequent episodes in those manic-depressive patients with a history of mania.
Typical symptoms of mania include pressure of speech, motor hyperactivity, reduced need for sleep, flight of ideas, grandiosity, elation, poor judgment, aggressiveness and possibly hostility. When given to a patient experiencing a manic episode, Lithium Carbonate Extended Release Tablets USP may produce a normalization of symptomatology within 1 to 3 weeks.
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NEWS HIGHLIGHTSMedia Articles Related to Lithium Carbonate (Lithium)
Researchers Test Lithium as Radiation Protector
Source: MedicineNet lithium Specialty [2009.04.02]
Title: Researchers Test Lithium as Radiation Protector
Category: Health News
Created: 4/2/2009 2:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 4/2/2009
Pfizer Receives FDA Approval For Geodon(R) (Ziprasidone HCI) Capsules For The Adjunctive Maintenance Treatment Of Bipolar Disorder In Adults
Source: Health News from Medical News Today [2009.11.23]
Pfizer announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Geodon® (ziprasidone HCI) Capsules for maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder as an adjunct to lithium or valproate in adults.
Ziprasidone Okayed for Bipolar Disorder
Source: MedPageToday.com - medical news plus CME for physicians [2009.11.23]
The FDA has approved another antipsychotic agent (MedPage Today) -- ziprasidone (Geodon) -- for maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder as an adjunct to lithium or valproate.
Funding Supports ADA Technologies' Development Of Home Monitor For Bipolar Disorder
Source: Bipolar News From Medical News Today [2009.10.28]
ADA Technologies, Inc. (ADA) received a $189,886 grant from the National Institute of Mental Health to develop a home lithiummonitor for use by patients with bipolar disorder. The testing tool would allow reliable, routine at-home monitoring of blood lithium concentrations, enabling individuals with bipolar disorder to conveniently and effectively manage their care. Effective treatment of bipolar disorder, an inherited disease that affects 5.
Bipolar Disorder (Mania)
Source: MedicineNet aripiprazole Specialty [2009.08.13]
Title: Bipolar Disorder (Mania)
Category: Diseases and Conditions
Created: 1/13/2003
Last Editorial Review: 8/13/2009
Published Studies Related to Lithium Carbonate (Lithium)
Lithium trial in Alzheimer's disease: a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter 10-week study. [2009.06]
CONCLUSIONS: The current results do not support the notion that lithium treatment may lead to reduced hyperphosphorylation of tau protein after a short 10-week treatment in the Alzheimer's disease target population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: (Controlled-Trials.com) Identifier: ISRCTN72046462. Copyright 2009 Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc.
Maintenance treatment for patients with bipolar I disorder: results from a north american study of quetiapine in combination with lithium or divalproex (trial 127). [2009.04]
CONCLUSIONS: In patients stabilized on quetiapine plus lithium or divalproex, continued treatment was associated with a significant risk reduction in the time to recurrence of any mood event compared with placebo and lithium or divalproex.
Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of lithium in youths with severe mood dysregulation. [2009.02]
OBJECTIVE: The diagnosis and treatment of youth with severe nonepisodic irritability and hyperarousal, a syndrome defined as severe mood dysregulation (SMD) by Leibenluft, has been the focus of increasing concern. We conducted the first randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in SMD youth, choosing lithium on the basis of its potential in treating irritability and aggression and neuro-metabolic effects... CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that although lithium may not result in significant clinical or neurometabolic alterations in SMD youths, further SMD treatment trials are warranted given its prevalence.
Efficacy and safety of lamotrigine as add-on treatment to lithium in bipolar depression: a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. [2009.02]
CONCLUSION: Lamotrigine was found effective and safe as add-on treatment to lithium in the acute treatment of bipolar depression. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00224510. Copyright 2009 Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc.
A 6-month, double-blind, maintenance trial of lithium monotherapy versus the combination of lithium and divalproex for rapid-cycling bipolar disorder and Co-occurring substance abuse or dependence. [2009.01]
CONCLUSION: A small subgroup of patients in this study stabilized after 6 months of treatment with lithium plus divalproex. Of those who did, the addition of divalproex to lithium conferred no additional prophylactic benefit over lithium alone. Although depression is regarded as the hallmark of rapid-cycling bipolar disorder in general, these data suggest that recurrent episodes of mania tend to be more common in presentations accompanied by comorbid substance use. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinical trials.gov Identifier: NCT00194129. Copyright 2009 Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc.
Clinical Trials Related to Lithium Carbonate (Lithium)
Long-Term Lithium Treatment for Aggressive Conduct Disorder [Completed]
This study will examine the long-term effects of lithium used to treat children and
adolescents with aggressive conduct disorder (severe aggression).
Safety and Pharmacokinetics Study of Oral Lithium in Patients With Chronic Spinal Cord Injury [Active, not recruiting]
The current study is a phase I open-label clinical trial to examine plasma levels after oral
lithium treatments in 20 subjects with chronic spinal cord injury. The subjects will receive
standard doses of oral lithium used in treatment of manic depression. The goal of the trial
is to show feasibility and safety of maintaining plasma levels of 0. 6 mmol/L to 1. 2 mmol/L
for six weeks in subjects with chronic spinal cord injury.
A Study of Aripiprazole (Abilify) in Patients With Bipolar Mania [Active, not recruiting]
The purpose of this clinical research study is to learn if outpatients with bipolar mania who
are partially nonresponsive to lithium or valproate monotherapy can achieve stable symptoms
on a combination treatment of aripiprazole plus lithium or valproate.
Safety and Efficacy Study of Lithium in Bipolar Disorder [Active, not recruiting]
The purpose of this study is to determine whether Lithium is safe and effective in the
treatment of Bipolar I Disorder subjects with symptoms of acute mania.
Pharmacotherapy of Treatment-Resistant Mania [Completed]
Verapamil has been found in some but not all studies to have antimanic activity. Therefore,
we investigated the use of verapamil, alone or as an adjunctive treatment, in manic patients
who did not respond to an initial adequate trial of lithium. Each study phase lasted three
weeks. Subjects were treated openly with lithium in Phase 1 (n=45). Those who failed to
respond were randomly assigned to double-blind treatment in Phase 2 with either verapamil
(n=10) or continued lithium (n=8). Phase 2 responders were continued on the same medication
in Phase 3. Phase 2 nonresponders (n=10) were assigned to combined verapamil/lithium in
Phase 3.
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PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTSBased on a total of 3 ratings/reviews, Lithium Carbonate has an overall score of 7. The effectiveness score is 7.33 and the side effect score is 6.67. The scores are on ten point scale: 10 - best, 1 - worst.
| | Lithium Carbonate review by 32 year old female patient | | | Rating |
| Overall rating: | |   |
| Effectiveness: | | Considerably Effective |
| Side effects: | | Moderate Side Effects | | |
Treatment Info |
| Condition / reason: | | Mania |
| Dosage & duration: | | 900 mg per day taken once at night for the period of 10 years |
| Other conditions: | | none |
| Other drugs taken: | | Ortho tricyclen | | |
Reported Results |
| Benefits: | | prevented mania and panic experienced with mania |
| Side effects: | | severe acne for first three years. |
| Comments: | | After the initial three years, this drug has worked well for me ever since. |
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| | Lithium Carbonate review by 23 year old male patient | | | Rating |
| Overall rating: | | |
| Effectiveness: | | Marginally Effective |
| Side effects: | | Moderate Side Effects | | |
Treatment Info |
| Condition / reason: | | bipolar disorder |
| Dosage & duration: | | 1200 MG taken 600 mg twice a day for the period of 1 year |
| Other conditions: | | N/A |
| Other drugs taken: | | N/A | | |
Reported Results |
| Benefits: | | I felt a bit calmer and had a little less mania, but it did not help much. |
| Side effects: | | upset stomach, low appetite, metallic taste, tremor |
| Comments: | | I was given lithium in order to calm my manic thoughts and depressive symptoms along with psychotherapy. I did not notice much improvement from lithium.
It did come with unwanted side effects such as persistent tremor and
upset stomach. I would like to try another medication. |
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| | Lithium Carbonate review by 23 year old male patient | | | Rating |
| Overall rating: | | |
| Effectiveness: | | Marginally Effective |
| Side effects: | | Moderate Side Effects | | |
Treatment Info |
| Condition / reason: | | bipolar disorder |
| Dosage & duration: | | 1200 MG taken 600 mg twice a day for the period of 1 year |
| Other conditions: | | N/A |
| Other drugs taken: | | N/A | | |
Reported Results |
| Benefits: | | I felt a bit calmer and had a little less mania, but it did not help much. |
| Side effects: | | upset stomach, low appetite, metallic taste, tremor |
| Comments: | | I was given lithium in order to calm my manic thoughts and depressive symptoms along with psychotherapy. I did not notice much improvement from lithium.
It did come with unwanted side effects such as persistent tremor and
upset stomach. I would like to try another medication. |
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Page last updated: 2009-11-23
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