NSTK · 01.2026Independent supplement reference
NutriStack
Edition 1.0Updated July 13, 2026

Lithium

Prescription ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026

Prescription mood stabilizer and the gold standard for bipolar disorder treatment, with strong evidence for preventing both manic and depressive episodes and reducing suicide risk. Has a narrow therapeutic index requiring regular serum level monitoring (target 0.6–1.2 mEq/L for maintenance). Can cause thyroid dysfunction, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, and nephrotoxicity with long-term use. Dosage must be determined by your prescribing physician.

Evidence tier
Strong
Indexed sources
10 2004–2026
Interactions
0
Category
Prescription
Read the sources → Compare profiles
Publication status

Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.

See the editorial and medical-review policies for the publication gate.

This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.

In short

What the research says.

A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.

Prescription mood stabilizer and the gold standard for bipolar disorder treatment, with strong evidence for preventing both manic and depressive episodes and reducing suicide risk. NutriStack rates the supporting evidence as strong. Common adult dosing is 600–1800 mg daily in divided doses; titrated to serum levels of 0.6–1.2 mEq/L (as prescribed by your physician), though a prescriber sets the actual dose. This profile indexes 10 sources.

What it's good for
  • Bipolar mania prevention3,7
  • Bipolar depression prevention7,9
  • Suicide risk reduction2
  • Mood stabilization6
  • Neuroprotective effects
What to watch for
  • Tremor
  • Polyuria and polydipsia
  • Weight gain
  • Severe renal impairment
  • Severe cardiovascular disease1

The bottom line

Evidence rating strong. Most-documented uses: bipolar mania prevention, bipolar depression prevention, suicide risk reduction. 10 sources indexed (2004–2026), with 0 interaction records on file.

The science

How it works, mechanistically.

Core mechanism

Exact mechanism incompletely understood. Modulates intracellular signaling cascades including inhibition of inositol monophosphatase (depleting inositol and damping PI signaling), inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3β), modulation of protein kinase C, enhancement of serotonergic neurotransmission, and neuroprotective effects through increased BDNF and bcl-2 expression.

Class
Mood Stabilizer
Absorption
Water-soluble; take with food
Dosing

Dosing & protocol.

Common range
600–1800 mg daily in divided doses; titrated to serum levels of 0.6–1.2 mEq/L (as prescribed by your physician)
Recommended form
Tablet, extended-release tablet, capsule, or oral solution

Take with food to reduce GI upset. Maintain consistent sodium and fluid intake; dehydration and sodium depletion increase lithium toxicity risk. Extended-release formulations may reduce GI side effects.

Safety

Full safety detail.

Side effects

  • Tremor
  • Polyuria and polydipsia
  • Weight gain
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Nausea and GI upset
  • Cognitive dulling
  • Renal impairment (long-term)
  • Acne

Contraindications

  • Severe renal impairment
  • Severe cardiovascular disease1
  • Severe dehydration or sodium depletion
  • Addison's disease1
  • Known hypersensitivity to lithium1,2
  • Brugada syndrome
Sources

Sources, by evidence tier.

Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.

Meta-analyses & systematic reviews

6

Reference material

4
FAQ

Common questions.

Quick answers about Lithium, drawn from the data on this page.

What is Lithium?

Prescription mood stabilizer and the gold standard for bipolar disorder treatment, with strong evidence for preventing both manic and depressive episodes and reducing suicide risk. Has a narrow therapeutic index requiring regular serum level monitoring (target 0.6–1.2 mEq/L for maintenance). Can cause thyroid dysfunction, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, and nephrotoxicity with long-term use. Dosage must be determined by your prescribing physician.

What is Lithium used for?

Commonly cited benefits of Lithium include: Bipolar mania prevention; Bipolar depression prevention; Suicide risk reduction; Mood stabilization; Neuroprotective effects. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as strong.

What is a typical dose of Lithium?

A typical adult dose of Lithium is 600–1800 mg daily in divided doses; titrated to serum levels of 0.6–1.2 mEq/L (as prescribed by your physician). The commonly recommended form is Tablet, extended-release tablet, capsule, or oral solution. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.

What are the side effects of Lithium?

Reported side effects include tremor, polyuria and polydipsia, weight gain, hypothyroidism, nausea and gi upset, cognitive dulling. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.

How strong is the evidence for Lithium?

NutriStack rates this as Strong, meaning multiple high-quality meta-analyses or systematic reviews converge on the same finding. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.

Use this with your stack

Lithium in NutriStack.

Add it to your stack, see how it interacts with everything else you take, and get a Stack Score that updates the moment it does.

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NutriStack is an informational and organizational tool, not a medical service, and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or medication.