Clinical use lithium

Lithium carbonate continues to be used for the treatment of bipolar disorder (manic-depressive disease) although other drugs including valproic acid and carbamazepine are equally effective. Maintenance therapy with lithium decreases manic behavior and reduces both the frequency and the magnitude of mood swings. Antipsychotic agents and/or benzodiazepines are commonly required at the initiation of treatment because both lithium and valproic acid have a slow onset of action.