Lithium Carbonate — $0 on Listed Strengths

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About Lithium Carbonate

Lithium carbonate is a cornerstone medication often prescribed for serious mood disorders like bipolar disorder. It's a powerful tool in stabilizing mood, preventing extreme highs and lows. Understanding its role is crucial for those who rely on it. At TheDrugClub, we believe essential medications like lithium should be accessible and affordable, which is why we're committed to helping our members save.

Lithium carbonate is primarily known for its effectiveness in treating bipolar disorder, also called manic-depressive illness. It helps manage and prevent episodes of mania (periods of abnormally elevated mood, energy, and activity) and depression (periods of extreme sadness, low energy, and loss of interest). Beyond bipolar disorder, it's sometimes used as an add-on treatment for major depressive disorder that hasn't responded to other antidepressants, and occasionally for schizoaffective disorder. Its ability to stabilize mood and reduce the frequency and severity of mood swings makes it an invaluable medication for many.

While the exact mechanism of action isn't fully understood, lithium is believed to work by affecting the way nerve cells in the brain communicate. It influences several neurotransmitter systems, including serotonin and dopamine, and can alter the activity of certain enzymes and proteins within brain cells. This multifaceted action helps to stabilize mood, reduce impulsivity, and decrease the risk of suicide in individuals with bipolar disorder. It doesn't "cure" the condition but effectively manages symptoms, helping individuals maintain a more stable and functional life. Consistent use and regular blood level monitoring are essential to ensure its safety and effectiveness.

The cost of lithium carbonate can vary significantly based on factors like dosage, whether it's immediate or extended-release, the pharmacy you use, and your insurance coverage. Without insurance, a typical

The information above is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before making medication decisions.

What Lithium Carbonate is approved for (FDA label)

Lithium is a mood-stabilizing agent indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of bipolar I disorder: • Treatment of acute manic and mixed episodes in patients 7 years and older [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )] • Maintenance treatment in patients 7 years and older [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )] Lithium is a mood-stabilizing agent indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of bipolar I disorder: • Treatment of acute manic and mixed episodes in patients 7 years and older ( 1 ) • Maintenance treatment in patients 7 years and older ( 1 )

Source: Read the full FDA label on DailyMed. Label effective date: August 16, 2026.

Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information. This is not medical advice; talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Boxed warning for Lithium Carbonate (FDA label)

WARNING: LITHIUM TOXICITY Lithium toxicity is closely related to serum lithium concentrations, and can occur at doses close to therapeutic concentrations. Facilities for prompt and accurate serum lithium determinations should be available before initiating treatment [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.3 ), Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . WARNING: LITHIUM TOXICITY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Lithium toxicity is closely related to serum lithium concentrations, and can occur at doses close to therapeutic concentrations. Facilities for prompt and accurate serum lithium determinations should be available before initiating therapy ( 2.3 , 5.1 ).

Source: FDA prescribing information (DailyMed). Set ID: b839ff4b-f62d-41ab-a823-550a756d58ec. SPL document ID: e89451be-87c9-43df-b41f-b028e56e2c2f. Label effective date: August 16, 2026. Read the full label.

Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information. This is not medical advice; talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Dosage forms and strengths for Lithium Carbonate (FDA label)

Each 300 mg tablet for oral administration contains: lithium carbonate, USP and is a white to off-white, biconvex tablet, scored on one side with product identification "54 452" debossed on the other side. Each 150 mg capsule for oral administration contains: lithium carbonate, USP and is an opaque, white capsule, imprinted with product identification “54 213” on both the cap and the body and containing a white powder. Each 300 mg capsule for oral administration contains: lithium carbonate, USP and is an opaque, light pink-colored capsule, imprinted with product identification “54 463” on both the cap and the body and containing a white powder.

Source: FDA prescribing information (DailyMed). Set ID: b839ff4b-f62d-41ab-a823-550a756d58ec. SPL document ID: e89451be-87c9-43df-b41f-b028e56e2c2f. Label effective date: August 16, 2026. Read the full label.

Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information. This is not medical advice; talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Adverse reactions for Lithium Carbonate (FDA label)

The following adverse reactions are described in greater detail in other sections: • Acute Lithium Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Lithium-Induced Polyuria [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] • Hyponatremia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] • Lithium-Induced Chronic Kidney Disease [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] • Encephalopathic Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] • Serotonin Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] • Hypothyroidism or Hyperthyroidism [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] • Hypercalcemia and Hyperparathyroidism [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 )] • Unmasking of Brugada Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 )] • Pseudotumor Cerebri [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.10 )] Common Adverse Reactions: • Adult Patients: fine hand tremor, polyuria, mild thirst, nausea, general discomfort during initial treatment ( 6 ) • Pediatric Patients (7-17 years): nausea/vomiting, polyuria, thyroid abnormalities, tremor, thirst/polydipsia, dizziness, rash/dermatitis, ataxia/gait disturbance, decreased appetite, and blurry vision ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. at 1-800-962-8364 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice.

Source: FDA prescribing information (DailyMed). Set ID: b839ff4b-f62d-41ab-a823-550a756d58ec. SPL document ID: e89451be-87c9-43df-b41f-b028e56e2c2f. Label effective date: August 16, 2026. Read the full label.

Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information. This is not medical advice; talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Contraindications for Lithium Carbonate (FDA label)

Lithium is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any inactive ingredient in the lithium carbonate tablet or capsule [see Adverse Reactions ( 6 )]. Known hypersensitivity to any inactive ingredient in the drug product. ( 4 )

Source: FDA prescribing information (DailyMed). Set ID: b839ff4b-f62d-41ab-a823-550a756d58ec. SPL document ID: e89451be-87c9-43df-b41f-b028e56e2c2f. Label effective date: August 16, 2026. Read the full label.

Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information. This is not medical advice; talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Warnings and precautions for Lithium Carbonate (FDA label)

• Lithium-Induced Polyuria: May develop during initiation of treatment. Increases risk of lithium toxicity. Educate patient to avoid dehydration. Monitor for lithium toxicity and metabolic acidosis. Discontinue lithium or treat with amiloride as a therapeutic agent ( 5.2 ). • Hyponatremia: Symptoms are more severe with faster-onset hyponatremia. Dehydration from protracted sweating, diarrhea, or elevated temperatures from infection increases risk of hyponatremia and lithium toxicity. Educate patients on maintaining a normal diet with salt and staying hydrated. Monitor for and treat hyponatremia and lithium toxicity, which may necessitate a temporary reduction or cessation of lithium and infusion of serum sodium ( 5.3 ). • Lithium-Induced Chronic Kidney Disease: Associated with structural changes in patients on chronic lithium therapy. Monitor kidney function during treatment with lithium ( 5.4 ). • Encephalopathic Syndrome: Increased risk in patients treated with lithium and an antipsychotic.

Source: FDA prescribing information (DailyMed). Set ID: b839ff4b-f62d-41ab-a823-550a756d58ec. SPL document ID: e89451be-87c9-43df-b41f-b028e56e2c2f. Label effective date: August 16, 2026. Read the full label.

Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information. This is not medical advice; talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Drug interactions for Lithium Carbonate (FDA label)

• Diuretics, NSAID, renin-angiotensin system antagonists, or metronidazole may increase lithium serum concentrations. Recommend frequent monitoring of serum lithium concentration and adjust dosage when necessary. ( 2.3 , 7.1 ) • Serotonergic Agents: Increased risk of serotonin syndrome when co-administered with lithium. ( 5.6 , 7.1 ) • Antipsychotics: There have been reports of neurologic adverse reactions in patients treated with lithium and an antipsychotic, ranging from extrapyramidal symptoms to neuroleptic malignant syndrome. ( 5.5 , 7.1 ) 7.1 Drugs Having Clinically Important Interactions with Lithium Table 4: Clinically Important Drug Interactions with Lithium Diuretics Clinical Impact: Diuretic-induced sodium loss may reduce lithium clearance and increase serum lithium concentrations . Intervention: More frequent monitoring of serum electrolyte and lithium concentrations.

Source: FDA prescribing information (DailyMed). Set ID: b839ff4b-f62d-41ab-a823-550a756d58ec. SPL document ID: e89451be-87c9-43df-b41f-b028e56e2c2f. Label effective date: August 16, 2026. Read the full label.

Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information. This is not medical advice; talk to your doctor or pharmacist.