What it means
A salt that steadies mood in bipolar disorderby-POH-ler dis-OR-derA mental health condition with periods of very high mood and energy (mania) and, often, periods of depression.bi- twopol/o pole-ar having to do withFull entry and lowers suicide risk. The safe blood level is narrow, so levels are checked often: a usual target is about 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L, and toxicity becomes more likely above 1.5 mEq/L. The body handles lithium like sodium, so dehydration, low sodium intake and drugs such as NSAIDs, ACE inhibitors and thiazide diuretics raise the level.
For the nurse
Draw the level about 12 hours after the last dose. Teach the client to drink 2 to 3 liters of fluid a day, keep salt intake steady, and report vomiting, diarrhea, heavy sweating, coarse tremor, confusion or unsteady walking. Thyroid and kidney function are checked over time.
At a glance
| Drug class | mood stabilizer (antimanic) |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Lithobid |
| Spanish | litio |
| Also written | lithium carbonate, Lithobid |
Easy to confuse with
tramadol
An opioid pain drug, taken by mouth, for moderate to severe pain.
Related terms
dehydration
A state in which the body has lost more water than it has taken in.
bipolar disorder
A mental health condition with periods of very high mood and energy (mania) and, often, periods of depression.
sodium
A mineral in the blood that controls how water moves in the body and helps nerves and muscles work.
toxicity
The harm a substance does to the body, or a state in which a drug has built up to a harmful level.