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Clinically relevant treatment considerations regarding lithium use in bipolar disorder
Tara Richardson1, Matthew Macaluso1
1a Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences , Kansas University School of Medicine-Wichita , Wichita , KS , USA.
Expert Opinion on Drug Metabolism & Toxicology
|October 3, 2017
Summary
Lithium, a long-used mood stabilizer, offers unique benefits like neuroprotection and reduced suicide risk in bipolar disorder patients, despite newer alternatives. This review covers its history, use, and properties.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Lithium salt has been used for mania since the 1870s and approved as a mood stabilizer in 1970.
- It remains a first-line treatment for bipolar mania, though newer medications may overshadow its use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a clinically oriented review of lithium.
- To cover historical use, modern indications, prescribing guidelines, drug interactions, and pharmacodynamics/pharmacokinetics.
- To highlight unique properties and clinical importance, including neuroprotection and suicide risk reduction.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of historical and modern clinical data.
- Analysis of prescribing guidelines and drug-drug interactions.
- Examination of lithium's pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties.
Main Results:
- Lithium possesses unique neuroprotective benefits.
- It is associated with a decreased risk of suicide in patients with mood disorders.
- Despite risks, lithium offers distinct advantages in specific patient populations.
Conclusions:
- Lithium remains a valuable therapeutic agent for bipolar disorder.
- Its unique properties, including neuroprotection and suicide risk reduction, warrant continued clinical consideration.
- Clinicians should weigh the unique risks and benefits when prescribing lithium.
Keywords:
Lithiumbipolar depressionbipolar disorderdrug-drug interactionsmaniamood stabilizerpharmacodynamicspharmacokineticsMore Related Videos
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