Clinical information
Common uses
- mania and hypomania
- bipolar disorder
- depression when other medicines have not worked
- reducing aggressive or self-harming behaviour
Common side effects
- feeling or being sick
- diarrhoea
- dry mouth or metallic taste
- slight shaking of the hands
- feeling tired or sleepy
Cautions
- needs regular blood tests to check lithium levels
- do not stop taking it suddenly
- avoid low-salt diets and dehydration — lithium levels can rise
- too much causes lithium toxicity, an emergency
Interactions
- diuretics (furosemide, bendroflumethiazide)
- NSAIDs (ibuprofen, aspirin, diclofenac)
- ACE inhibitors (enalapril, lisinopril, ramipril)
- some antidepressants (fluoxetine, paroxetine, fluvoxamine)
- antibiotics (metronidazole, trimethoprim, co-trimoxazole)
- epilepsy medicines (carbamazepine, phenytoin)
Pregnancy: may be taken if needed — specialist review advised
Reference information, not medical advice — always follow your doctor or pharmacist. Source: NHS Medicines A–Z, nhs.uk/medicines/lithium (accessed 2026-08-16)