Lithium carbonate@Everything2.com) is a compound often used in psychiatric medicine for the treatment of Bipolar Personality Disorder (aka manic depression). While its exact mechanism of action is unknown, Lithium does not have the sedative effect characteristic of most other anti-manic agents. What is known is that Lithium Carbonate reduces the action of Norepinephrine and Serotonin in the brain, and inhibits the production of Cyclic AMP. That said, Lithium is extremely toxic as metioned above and MUST be used in conjunction with a psychiarist's supervision and very frequent blood tests. Tests frequently include not only a "lithium level", but also tests for thyroid (TSH) level and control to rule out hypothyroidism, somewhat common in people on lithium maintenance. Also, many times a doctor will include a creatine level, a marker of renal ability. Fasting blood tests are an annoyance, but time spent at the lab is better than lapsing into coma, seizure, possible brain damage, and death from a through-the-roof lithium level.DailyMed: About DailyMedSkip to DrugLabel content Download the FDA official PDF of this label Lithium toxicity is closely related to serum lithium levels, and can occur at doses close to therapeutic levels. Facilities for prompt and accurate serum lithium determinations should be available before initiating therapy (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).Typical symptoms of mania include pressure of speech, motor hyperactivity, reduced need for sleep, flight of ideas, grandiosity, elation, poor judgment, aggressiveness and possibly hostility. When given to a patient experiencing a manic episode, Lithium Carbonate Extended Release Tablets USP may produce a normalization of symptomatology within 1 to 3 weeks.
