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Lithium 600 mg
Lithium (Eskalith®, Eskalith CR®, Lithobid®) is a prescription drug used for treating bipolar disorder. It is available in several different strengths and forms, including:
- Lithium carbonate 150 mg capsules
- Lithium carbonate 300 mg capsules (Eskalith)
- Lithium carbonate 600 mg capsules
- Lithium carbonate 300 mg tablets
- Lithium carbonate 300 mg extended-release tablets (Lithobid)
- Lithium carbonate 450 mg extended-release tablets (Eskalith CR)
- Lithium citrate syrup, containing 8 mEq lithium per 5 mL, which is equivalent to 300 mg lithium carbonate per 5 mL or per teaspoonful.
The recommended starting dose for acute mania is lithium 600 mg three times daily. For extended-release lithium tablets, the recommended starting dose is 900 mg twice daily. Starting at such high lithium doses helps to produce an effective lithium blood level quickly (which is needed to control the severe symptoms of mania).
Maintenance treatment for bipolar disorder is used when no acute mania or depression is present. If you do not have severe symptoms of bipolar disorder when starting lithium, your healthcare provider may recommend starting with a low lithium dose and slowly increasing it while frequently checking the level of lithium in the blood.
(Click Lithium Dosage for more detailed lithium dosing guidelines and for tips and precautions for using this medication.)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD