Bipolar Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Bipolar, including details on bipolar disorder, symptoms, treatment, depression, medication.

Lithium in mood disorders: increasing evidence base, declining use?

Young AH, Hammond JM

Institute of Mental Health, University of British Columbia, University Boulevard, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z3. allan.young@ubc.ca

Use of lithium for the treatment of bipolar disorder may be declining even as knowledge of the efficacy and side-effects of lithium has increased. Recent meta-analyses confirm the benefits of maintenance lithium treatment and show that it reduces suicide and suicidality. Psychiatrists should continue to utilise this efficacious treatment for bipolar disorder.

Published 6 December 2007 in Br J Psychiatry, 191: 474-6.
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