Indications & formulation #
Bipolar I disorder in adults. This reference covers the selected formulation; other indications and products need their own evidence.
Dose reference #
Adult educational reference · Lithium carbonate oral capsule · United States. The clinician selects treatment after assessment; this page does not calculate or change a prescription.
The selected label starts 300 mg three times daily, individualized using clinical findings and correctly timed levels. Obtain a level after three days, sampled 12 hours after the last dose.
Contraindications & important cautions #
Toxicity can occur near therapeutic concentrations. Assess renal function, electrolytes, thyroid, hydration and interacting medicines before treatment.
Selected important cautions; consult the full product information for all contraindications and warnings.
Adverse effects #
Tremor, thirst, polyuria, renal/thyroid effects and toxicity require active monitoring.
Interactions #
Dehydration, renal change, NSAIDs and relevant diuretics or renin–angiotensin medicines can alter exposure.
Monitoring #
Record formulation, dose and blood-sampling time. Monitor renal/thyroid function, calcium and correctly timed levels under a locally approved protocol.
Special populations #
Renal impairment needs lower doses and closer monitoring; avoid severe impairment under this label. Pregnancy requires specialist benefit–risk planning.
Adult scope. Pregnancy, breastfeeding and pediatric use require the exact product’s population-specific guidance and individual assessment.
Discontinuation, restarting & counseling #
Plan supervised discontinuation with relapse prevention. Illness, dehydration or toxicity symptoms need prompt clinical assessment.
Condition-specific prescribing #
Additional indication-specific records retain their own formulation and source context.
Lithium
Bipolar I mania and maintenance: selected US capsule schedule
Adults · Lithium carbonate immediate-release capsules · Oral · United States product labeling
- Starting dose
- 300 mg three times daily in the cited adult label.
- Titration
- 300 mg increments every 3 days, guided by levels and clinical response.
- Treatment range / target
- Acute serum target 0.8–1.2 mEq/L; label maintenance target 0.8–1.0 mEq/L. These differ from NICE first-time maintenance targets below.
- Maximum / limits
- No single universal milligram ceiling: exposure, renal function and toxicity determine limits.
- Trial & duration
- Acute and maintenance use; long-term need reviewed separately.
- Monitoring
- Label: level after 3 days, sample 12 hours after last dose; repeat until stable and after relevant changes.
- Population & organ-function adjustments
- CrCl 30–89 mL/min: lower start and slower titration; CrCl <30: avoid.
- Important cautions
- Dehydration, sodium depletion, NSAIDs, diuretics and renin–angiotensin drugs can increase toxicity.
Brands & products #
Historical catalogue observations. Prices and catalogue presence do not establish current availability or Indian approval.
Reference coverage #
Structured summary of selected adult uses, not an exhaustive monograph. Indian product authorization and local prescribing requirements have not been reconciled.
References · 1
- Lithium — Lithium carbonate oral capsule — selected prescribing information · United States · Checked 2026-10-27 · Selected formulation: Lithium carbonate oral capsule · Supports indications, dose, cautions, adverse effects, interactions, monitoring, special populations and stopping. Source sections: Indications and usage; Dosage and administration; Contraindications; warnings and precautions; Use in specific populations; patient counseling · United States · Checked 2026-10-26 · Supports: Lithium — Bipolar I mania and maintenance: selected US capsule schedule (Lithium carbonate immediate-release capsules)