Stereochemistry | ACHIRAL |
Molecular Formula | Li.HO.H2O |
Molecular Weight | 41.964 |
Optical Activity | NONE |
Defined Stereocenters | 0 / 0 |
E/Z Centers | 0 |
Charge | 0 |
SHOW SMILES / InChI
SMILES
[Li+].O.[OH-]
InChI
InChIKey=GLXDVVHUTZTUQK-UHFFFAOYSA-M
InChI=1S/Li.2H2O/h;2*1H2/q+1;;/p-1
Molecular Formula | Li |
Molecular Weight | 6.941 |
Charge | 1 |
Count |
MOL RATIO
1 MOL RATIO (average) |
Stereochemistry | ACHIRAL |
Additional Stereochemistry | No |
Defined Stereocenters | 0 / 0 |
E/Z Centers | 0 |
Optical Activity | NONE |
Molecular Formula | H2O |
Molecular Weight | 18.0153 |
Charge | 0 |
Count |
MOL RATIO
2 MOL RATIO (average) |
Stereochemistry | ACHIRAL |
Additional Stereochemistry | No |
Defined Stereocenters | 0 / 0 |
E/Z Centers | 0 |
Optical Activity | NONE |
Lithium is an alkali metal widely used in industry. Lithium salts are indicated in the treatment of manic episodes of Bipolar Disorder. The use of lithium in psychiatry goes back to the mid-19th century. Early work, however, was soon forgotten, and John Cade is credited with reintroducing lithium to psychiatry for mania in 1949. Mogens Schou undertook a randomly controlled trial for mania in 1954, and in the course of that study became curious about lithium as a prophylactic for depressive illness. In 1970, the United States became the 50th country to admit lithium to the marketplace. The specific mechanisms by which lithium exerts its mood-stabilizing effects are not well understood. Lithium appears to preserve or increase the volume of brain structures involved in emotional regulation such as the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and amygdala, possibly reflecting its neuroprotective effects. At a neuronal level, lithium reduces excitatory (dopamine and glutamate) but increases inhibitory (GABA) neurotransmission; however, these broad effects are underpinned by complex neurotransmitter systems that strive to achieve homeostasis by way of compensatory changes. For example, at an intracellular and molecular level, lithium targets second-messenger systems that further modulate neurotransmission. For instance, the effects of lithium on the adenyl cyclase and phospho-inositide pathways, as well as protein kinase C, may serve to dampen excessive excitatory neurotransmission. In addition to these many putative mechanisms, it has also been proposed that the neuroprotective effects of lithium are key to its therapeutic actions. In this regard, lithium has been shown to reduce the oxidative stress that occurs with multiple episodes of mania and depression. Further, it increases protective proteins such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor and B-cell lymphoma 2, and reduces apoptotic processes through inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase 3 and autophagy.
CNS Activity
Originator
Approval Year
PubMed
Patents
Sample Use Guides
Optimal patient response to Lithium Carbonate usually can be established and maintained with 600 mg t.i.d. Optimal patient response to Lithium Oral Solution usually can be established and maintained with 10 mL (2 full teaspoons) (16 mEq of lithium) t.i.d. Such doses will normally produce an effective serum lithium level ranging between 1.0 and 1.5 mEq/l. Dosage must be individualized according to serum levels and clinical response. Regular monitoring of the patient’s clinical state and of serum lithium levels is necessary. Serum levels should be determined twice per week during the acute phase, and until the serum level and clinical condition of the patient have been stabilized.
Route of Administration:
Oral