Lithium is made by a number of different manufacturers
(see Generic Lithium).
Lithium is a naturally occurring element, like potassium or
calcium. In the 1800s, scientists thought that lithium might be an effective treatment for gout, although it was found to be ineffective for this use. Later, in the 1940s, it was used as a salt substitute, until it was withdrawn from the market due to several deaths that were caused by
lithium toxicity. Later, it was discovered that lithium works for mania. In 1970, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the medication for the treatment of
bipolar disorder.
The exact way in which the drug works to treat bipolar disorder is not known. Lithium may affect various chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters, which could explain the its effectiveness in treating bipolar disorder. The medication is not a cure for the condition, however -- it only helps to control symptoms
(see Bipolar Disorder Symptoms).
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