Thursday, July 23, 2009 Danielle asks

Q: Lithium orate vs. Lithium carbonate?

Lithium carbonate is the "medication" that is prescribed by doctors. Levels border on toxic, even when "stable"(by medical standards) due to the body's inability to naturally absorb the drug. When taken long term, the drug can cause kidney disease.

Lithium orate, an alkali metal "mineral" is easily affordable, has numerous benefits for the body, does not need to be monitored, and helps stabilize people with bi-polar disorder without the host of side effects.

Why would you take the doctor prescribed?

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Answers (3)

John McManamy, Health Guide

7/24/09 9:55am

Hi, Danielle. I fully endorse knowthyself's answer. We have highly inflated claims and a lot of unethical marketing from the manufacturers of lithium orotate. Years ago, I specifically asked one manufacturer if they had any clinical trial results to back their claims. Their representative told me yes. When I asked to see the studies they could produce nothing.

By contrast, lithium carbonate is by far the most studied drug for treating bipolar. Mogens Schou published exhaustive studies in the early 60s, and numerous others have followed suit.

Over the years, as we have learned more about managing bipolar, therapeutic doses have come down, to about half what they used to be, so the toxicity issue isn't what it used to be, especially if you find the right doctor.

Mogens Schou did a study of lithium orotate on rats. The rats incurred excessive renal damage. Perhaps had he used much smaller doses like manufacturers recommend, this would not have happened. But the bottom line is there have been no tests on humans. We really do not know the optimum doses, either for safety or therapeutic purposes.

So - you can go with the most studied bipolar med, recommended by doctors, or you can go with an alternative with no proven efficacy, backed by questionable manufacturers out to make a buck.

Hope this helps -

Danielle

7/26/09 5:52pm

"Questionable manufacturers out to make a buck?" hmmm . . . They're not charging enough. A months supply of lithium orate for me is 18$ bucks. A few years ago my doctor prescribed Abilify for me and the bill was 389$ for a months supply. You tell me.

And I wonder who funds these studies on lithium carbonate and why they've evidently not done the same with lithium orate? . . .

If an alternative medicine "study" were done, do you honestly think they COULD publish any of the findings without the support of the FDA?

All I know is what I have experienced first hand. I have not had a manic episode in almost four years taking lithium orate. No other doctor prescribed drug I've ever taken (depakote,zyprexa,lamictal,lithium carbonate,abilify,giadone) has helped me.

2/24/11 10:35am

hi-

my son (12) has early onset bp. do you remember if there was some lag time before the lith or took effect? he has been taking it a week

knowthyself

7/24/09 1:02am

"Why would you take the doctor prescribed?"

Lithium carbonate and lithium orotate are not minerals but are both compounds that contain the alkali metal lithium. Both compounds are salts, making them soluble in water and and bioavailable. Both compounds contribute may contribute to diabetes insipidus in a small precentage of individuals with long term use. Both forms have the potential of all the known side effects due to taking lithium, as both contain lithium.

Lithium carbonate has been very well studied as a mood stabilizer. All forms of lithium have been considered for use as a mood stabilizer and lithium carbonate has been determined to be the most effective and safest form. The level of lithium in the blood which has a therapeutic effect has been determined to be .6 - 1.2 mEq/L. To determine this level and ensure that levels were consistant with a level, therapeutic to the individual and that levels do not exceed the range, an individual taking lithium orotate would have to be monitored.

If one was to take lithium orotate the same level would need to be acheived to be therapeutic. The problem that is encountered and was determined by the few studies done on this drug is that it does not pass the kidneys well. This can cause more of a strain on the kidneys and could create more of a risk of lithium levels entering the toxic range of 1.5 mEq/L and above.

As a compound, lithium carbonate is well known by studies and through practical administration over the past 40 years. The information gathered over this time has determined its safe methods of use and practical applications to guide psychiatrists in prescribing it. This is why you would take the doctor prescribed.

Ryan

11/12/10 3:07pm

The only reason to use lithium carbonate is the fact that there haven't been many studies done on lithium orotate. One study has been done, but that study used the same amount of lithium orotate as lithium carbonate. This means that you can ignore that study completely since you don't need near as much lithium orotate in your system in order for it to work.

My only guess is that there aren't many ways for companies to make much money selling lithium orotate, so formal studies aren't being done. If you go by what the people who use the different forms of lithium have to say, it is hard to imagine that lithium orotate isn't the way to go.

I use it and it works without the side effects of prescription lithium.

Q: Lithium orate vs. Lithium carbonate?

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