Can Lithium Carbonate Be Taken Irregularly For Bipolar Disorder?

Posted on Tue, 29 Sep 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 29 Sep 2015 Answered on

Fri, 16 Oct 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Can lithium carbonate be taken on a pro re XXXXXXX basis for bipolar disorder? Meaning can it be taken irregularly on a "as needed" basis?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki (28 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
not at all, it must be taken regularly only

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for writing to us.

Lithium is a mood stabilizer drug for bipolar disorder. It has very narrow therapeutic range. It works well at very narrow range of serum concentration in body. Below the level it is not effective and above the level it causes side effects.
To maintain this specific level it must be taken regularly daily in prescribed dose otherwise it is not at all useful.

Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar