Data Sheet INFORMATION FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS Size one capsule having a green cap and clear body filled with a white powder.Lithium carbonate provides a source of lithium ions that may act by competing with sodium ions at various sites in the body. Therapeutic concentrations of lithium have almost no discernible psychotropic effects in normal volunteers but considerable effect in patients suffering from affective disorders. The mechanism of action is unknown.Individual dose titration is essential and the conditions under which blood samples are taken must be strictly controlled. One method that may be used is to take samples 12 hours (± 30 minutes) after the last dose and after ensuring that the patient has been taking his/her daily requirement of divided doses and has been taking all the prescribed dose for at least the previous 48 hours. The optimal therapeutic serum concentration range is 0.6-1.2mmol/l. Toxic effects are expected at concentrations above 1.5mmol/l.
