Lithium carbonate is a prescription drug used to treat mania and mixed episodes related to bipolar I disorder.
Bipolar disorder affects over 2 million people in the United States annually. Mania is one of two episodes or swings you experience when you have bipolar disorder. This might be expressed in feelings of euphoria, energy, and sometimes irritability. On the other side of the spectrum, depression swings your mood the opposite direction, resulting in feeling sad, hopeless, or unmotivated even in normal daily activities. It is called a “mixed episode,” when symptoms of both sides of the spectrum occur at the same time or in quick succession without any time in between to recover.
Lithium carbonate has shown to be effective in controlling symptoms of mania and bipolar I disorder. While it can manage your side effects, it is important to note that it is not a cure for either condition.