Lithium carbonate is a medication used to treat manic episodes of bipolar disorder. Though it is widely used, its mechanism of action is still unknown.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed · 11 references
Lithium's mechanism of action is still unknown. However, the “inositol depletion theory” suggests 3 main potential targets. These targets are inositol monophosphatase, inositol polyphosphatase, and glycogen synthase kinase 3(GSK-3).
The “Inositol depletion theory” suggests lithium behaves as an uncompetitive inhibitor of inositol monophosphatase in a manner inversely proportional to the degree of stimulus. This inhibition lowers levels of inositol triphosphate. However, stronger inhibitors of inositol monophosphatase are not as clinically effective and low levels of inositol triphosphate are associated with memory impairment.
Lithium acts on inositol polyphosphatase as an uncompetitive inhibitor. This inhibition is thought to have multiple downstream effects that have yet to be clarified.
Lithium regulates phosphorylation of GSK-3 which regulates other enzymes through phosphorylation. Lithium can also inhibit GSK-3 through interfering with the magnesium ion in the active site.
- Primary indication
- Lithium carbonate is indicated as a monotherapy for the treatment of acute manic and mixed episodes associated with bipolar 1 disorder in patients ≥7 years of age.Curator reviewed · 3 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- CLi2O3 · 73.89 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 1997 · United States, 1970
- Also known as
- Dilithium carbonate · Lithiumcarbonate · Lithonate
- Code names
- CP-15,467-61 · N05AN01
- Brand names
Resolves to
XGZVUEUWXADBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-LSMILES[Li+].[Li+].[O-]C([O-])=OWhat you can answer from here — as of June 15, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Lithium carbonate, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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