Lithium: What It Is, How It Works, and What You Need to Know

When doctors prescribe lithium, a mood-stabilizing medication used primarily to treat bipolar disorder. Also known as lithium carbonate, it helps smooth out extreme highs and lows in mood—but it’s not a drug you can take lightly. Unlike many psychiatric meds, lithium has a narrow window between helping and harming. Too little won’t work. Too much can be dangerous. That’s why blood tests aren’t optional—they’re life-saving.

Lithium doesn’t just sit in your body. It interacts with your kidneys, your thyroid, and other medications you might be taking. For example, NSAIDs, common pain relievers like ibuprofen or naproxen can cause lithium levels to spike, raising your risk of toxicity. Even something as simple as fiber supplements, like psyllium or Metamucil, can change how your body absorbs lithium if taken at the wrong time. And if you’re on a diuretic or ACE inhibitor, your doctor needs to know—those can push lithium into dangerous territory.

Side effects aren’t rare. Shaky hands, frequent urination, and weight gain are common. Some people feel foggy at first. Others develop thyroid problems over time. That’s why regular check-ups matter. You can’t just start lithium and forget about it. It’s not a pill you take and move on. It’s a long-term partnership with your health team.

You’ll find posts here that dig into how lithium fits into the bigger picture of psychiatric meds. One article explains why mixing lithium with certain antidepressants can trigger serotonin syndrome—a serious, sometimes fatal reaction. Another breaks down how to track your symptoms and side effects so you can spot trouble early. There’s even a guide on how to document your provider’s advice about lithium, so you never lose track of dosing rules or warning signs.

This isn’t about theory. It’s about real people managing lithium every day—college students, parents, retirees—who need to know how to stay safe while staying stable. The posts below give you the practical details: what to ask your doctor, how to read your blood test results, when to call for help, and what alternatives exist if lithium doesn’t work for you. No fluff. Just what you need to make smart choices.