Lithium (
Eskalith®, Eskalith CR
®,
Lithobid®) is a medication approved to treat
bipolar disorder. It is available by prescription only and comes in the form of tablets, extended-release tablets, capsules, and syrup.
Lithium is a naturally occurring element, like potassium or
calcium. In 1970, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the medication for the treatment of
bipolar disorder. It is not known exactly how lithium works. It appears to affect certain chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters, which could explains its effectiveness in treating bipolar disorder.
There are many benefits of lithium. The medicine has been shown to be effective for treating manic episodes. It can also be used as a "maintenance treatment" to help stabilize the mood, preventing episodes of mania or
depression. Maintenance can be thought of as long-term control of
bipolar disorder symptoms.
(Click Lithium to learn about the other benefits of lithium, to find out when and how to take the drug, and for a list of potential side effects of this medication.)
