TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Chapter 17. Lithium A1 - Bauer, Larry A. A2 - Bauer, Larry A. PY - 2008 T2 - Applied Clinical Pharmacokinetics, 2e AB - Lithium is an alkali metal that is administered as a monovalent cation (Li+) for the treatment of bipolar disorder. In the United States, orally administered carbonate and citrate salts of lithium are available. While lithium is still used as a primary treatment for bipolar disorders, valproic acid, lamotrigine, or carbamazepine may be used for some subsets of the disease.1 Although this drug has been used in psychiatric medicine since the 1940s, the mechanism of action of lithium is largely unknown. Among the current theories are competition with other cations at receptor and tissue sites, dopamine-receptor supersensitivity blockage, decreased stimulation of β-receptor induced adenylate cyclase, and enhanced sensitivity to serotonin (5-HT), acetylcholine, and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA).1,2 SN - PB - The McGraw-Hill Companies CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/04/19 UR - accesspharmacy.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=3518187 ER -