title: Series on pharmacology in practice. 1. Drugs that alter mood. II. Lithium.
abstract: In the last two decades, there has been rapid progress in the pharmacologic treatment of affective disorders. In Part I of this review, drugs mainly used for depression (tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors) were discussed. Here, lithium carbonate, the most effective drug for manic-depressive illness (bipolar depression) is the focus. Its indications, mode of action, pharmacokinetics, dosage, and side effects are discussed. A section on drug interactions with lithium deals with the combination effect of lithium used with antidepressant and other psychotropic agents.
mesh_terms: D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000187:drug effects; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D007700:Kinetics; D008094:Lithium / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D008094:Lithium