Lithium is a kind of medicine that works on bipolar disorder. It aims at preventing and alleviating symptoms of manic episode. When taking this medication, the patients should do regular blood test to decide the dosage for bipolar disorder treatment.

Manic episode is unusual to be found without a depressive episode beforehand. Lithium can help weaken mood swings in both directions. So it is used not only for acute manic attacks but also as an ongoing bipolar disorder treatment. Manic symptoms can be diminished after five to 14 days of treatment. However, patients may continue to take it until the condition is fully controlled. And some people respond well to maintenance treatment and have no further episodes, while others may have moderate mood swings that lessen as treatment continues. Some bipolar disorder patients may not be helped at all.

Regular blood tests are required in bipolar disorder treatment with lithium. The lithium level must be checked regularly to see if the dosage is insufficient or too much. If too little is taken, lithium will not be effective as it would be. On the other hand, if too much is taken, a variety of side effects may occur. The range between an effective dose and a harmful one is small. So blood test is crucial during the treatment.

It must be informed that when a person first takes lithium, the patients may have side effects, which are regular and may disappear after some days of usage. The side effects include lethargy, weakness, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, tremor, increased thirst and urination and weight gain or loss.