Lithium

Mood Stabilizer

Drug Class: Mood Stabilizer
Mechanism of Action (MOA): Uncertain — modulates second-messenger systems (inositol depletion, GSK-3 inhibition) → mood stabilization.
Black Box Warning: Lithium toxicity is closely related to serum levels and can occur near therapeutic doses — monitor levels.
Clinical Notes: Bipolar maintenance. Narrow window (0.6-1.2 mEq/L); nephrogenic DI, hypothyroidism, tremor, Ebstein anomaly. NSAIDs/diuretics/ACEi-ARB/dehydration increase levels.
Source: FDA label

Sources

Reviewed September 2026

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