Lithium
Treatment for Bipolar Disorder
Typical Dosage: 600-1800mg daily
Effectiveness
85%
Safety Score
30%
Clinical Trials
156
Participants
50K
Comparative Safety Scale(Higher is safer)
Cyanide☠️
Meth💀
Cigarettes🚬
Chemo☢️
Alcohol🍺
Morphine💊
Antibiotics💉
Tylenol💊
Exercise🏃
Water💧
30
DangerousModerateSafe
Treatment Details
Dosage Range
600-1800mg daily
Time to Effect
1-4 weeks
Treatment Duration
lifetime
Evidence Quality
HIGHNumber Needed to Treat (NNT)
6(Treat 6 patients to see 1 additional successful outcome)
Number Needed to Harm (NNH)
15(Treat 15 patients to see 1 additional serious adverse event)
Confidence Score
95%confidence in effectiveness data
Health Economics
Annual Cost of Care
Drug Cost:$150
Monitoring:$1,100
Side Effect Mgmt:$300
Total Annual:$1,550
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
Cost-Effectiveness Rating
EXCELLENTICER
$30,000/QALY
QALYs Gained
0.8
Outcome-Based Costs
Cost per Responder
$2,384.6
Cost per Remission
$3,444.4
Comparison vs Valproate
Cost Difference
$-200/year
Less expensive
QALY Difference
+0.10 QALYs
Better outcomes
Dominance
DOMINATESBetter + cheaper
Lithium Outcomes
for Bipolar Disorder
Efficacy Outcomes
Overall Effectiveness
+85%
Response Rate
+65%
Remission Rate
+45%
Common Side Effects
Tremor
+40%
Polyuria/Polydipsia
+55%
Weight gain
+25%
Hypothyroidism
+15%
Renal impairment
+15%
Active Clinical Trials
3 active trials recruiting for Lithium in Bipolar Disorder
A Study to Investigate Lithium Brain/Plasma Pharmacokinetics and Safety of an AL001 Oral Capsule Compared to a Marketed Immediate-release Lithium Carbonate Capsule in Subjects With Bipolar I Disorder
NCT07540338RECRUITINGPHASE1, PHASE2
20 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
Boston, United States
Started: May 11, 2026
Lithium Versus Lamotrigine in Bipolar Disorder, Type II
NCT06184581RECRUITINGPHASE4
200 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
Copenhagen, Denmark
Started: May 8, 2024
Lithium Versus Cariprazine in the Acute Phase Treatment of Bipolar Depression (DUAG9)
NCT05913947RECRUITINGPHASE4
122 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
Aalborg, Denmark
Started: Dec 13, 2022
Completed Clinical Trials
14 completed trials for Lithium in Bipolar Disorder
Effect of Regulated Add -on Sodium Chloride Intake on Stabilization of Serum Lithium Concentration in Bipolar Disorder
NCT04222816COMPLETEDPHASE4
60 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
Khordha, India
Started: Jan 16, 2020
Lithium Therapy: Understanding Mothers, Metabolism and Mood
NCT02490241COMPLETED
9 participants
OBSERVATIONAL
Chicago, United States
Started: Apr 1, 2015
Investigation of Lithium on Signal Transduction, Gene Expression and Brain Myo-Inositol Levels in Manic Patients
NCT00870311COMPLETEDPHASE4
28 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
Detroit, United States
Started: Mar 1, 1996
Prevention of Relapse & Recurrence of Bipolar Depression
NCT00961961COMPLETEDPHASE4
177 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
Chicago, United States +1 more
Started: Jul 1, 2009
Lithium Versus Anticonvulsants and the Risk of Physical Disorders
NCT06005155COMPLETED
169K participants
OBSERVATIONAL
Copenhagen, Denmark
Started: Jun 1, 2022
Longitudinal Study on the Neuroprotective and Neurotrophic Effects of Lithium
NCT01919892COMPLETEDPHASE4
30 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
São Paulo, Brazil
Started: Sep 1, 2010
FMRI Study of Brain Response Before and After Lithium Treatment in People With Bipolar Disorder
NCT00596622COMPLETEDPHASE4
46 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
Indianapolis, United States
Started: Aug 1, 2007
Lithium Effects on the Brain's Functional and Structural Connectome in the Treatment of Bipolar Disorder
NCT03336918COMPLETED
81 participants
OBSERVATIONAL
Cleveland, United States
Started: Dec 7, 2017
Effectiveness of Lithium Plus Optimized Medication in Treating People With Bipolar Disorder
NCT00667745COMPLETEDPHASE4
283 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
Stanford, United States +5 more
Started: Apr 1, 2008
Bioequivalency Study of 300 mg Lithium Carbonate Under Fed Conditions
NCT00602394COMPLETEDNA
30 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
Houston, United States
Started: May 1, 2003
Bioequivalency Study of 450 mg Lithium Carbonate Under Fed Conditions
NCT00601575COMPLETEDNA
30 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
Little Rock, United States
Started: Oct 1, 2002
Bioequivalency Study of 300 mg Lithium Carbonate Under Fasting Conditions
NCT00601536COMPLETEDNA
29 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
Pittsburgh, United States
Started: Apr 1, 2003
Bioequivalency Study of 450 mg Lithium Carbonate Under Fasting Conditions
NCT00602381COMPLETEDNA
30 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
Little Rock, United States
Started: Nov 1, 2002
Comparative Effectiveness Study for Bipolar Disorder
NCT01331304COMPLETEDPHASE4
482 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
Birmingham, United States +10 more
Started: Sep 1, 2010
Showing 20 of 160 total trials