Lithium orotate: A superior option for lithium therapy?
Abstract Bipolar disorder (BD) poses a significant public health concern, with roughly one‐quarter of sufferers attempting suicide. BD is characterized by manic and depressive mood cycles, the recurrence of which can be effectively curtailed through lithium therapy. Unfortunately, the most frequentl...
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
2021-08-01
|
| Series: | Brain and Behavior |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.2262 |
| _version_ | 1827877381368446976 |
|---|---|
| author | Anthony G. Pacholko Lane K. Bekar |
| author_facet | Anthony G. Pacholko Lane K. Bekar |
| author_sort | Anthony G. Pacholko |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Bipolar disorder (BD) poses a significant public health concern, with roughly one‐quarter of sufferers attempting suicide. BD is characterized by manic and depressive mood cycles, the recurrence of which can be effectively curtailed through lithium therapy. Unfortunately, the most frequently employed lithium salt, lithium carbonate (Li2CO3), is associated with a host of adverse health outcomes following chronic use: these unwanted effects range from relatively minor inconveniences (e.g., polydipsia and polyuria) to potentially major complications (e.g., hypothyroidism and/or renal impairment). As these undesirable effects can limit patient compliance, an alternative lithium compound with a lesser toxicity profile would dramatically improve treatment efficacy and outcomes. Lithium orotate (LiC5H3N2O4; henceforth referred to as LiOr), a compound largely abandoned since the late 1970s, may represent such an alternative. LiOr is proposed to cross the blood–brain barrier and enter cells more readily than Li2CO3, which will theoretically allow for reduced dosage requirements and ameliorated toxicity concerns. This review addresses the controversial history of LiOr, complete with discussions of experimental and clinical efficacy, putative mechanisms of action, adverse effects, and its potential future in therapy. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T17:36:38Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5737e2d030a9493db7eaa3f1c0ab6774 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2162-3279 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T17:36:38Z |
| publishDate | 2021-08-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Brain and Behavior |
| spelling | doaj.art-5737e2d030a9493db7eaa3f1c0ab67742023-08-04T10:56:25ZengWileyBrain and Behavior2162-32792021-08-01118n/an/a10.1002/brb3.2262Lithium orotate: A superior option for lithium therapy?Anthony G. Pacholko0Lane K. Bekar1Department of Anatomy Physiology and Pharmacology College of Medicine University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon Saskatchewan CanadaDepartment of Anatomy Physiology and Pharmacology College of Medicine University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon Saskatchewan CanadaAbstract Bipolar disorder (BD) poses a significant public health concern, with roughly one‐quarter of sufferers attempting suicide. BD is characterized by manic and depressive mood cycles, the recurrence of which can be effectively curtailed through lithium therapy. Unfortunately, the most frequently employed lithium salt, lithium carbonate (Li2CO3), is associated with a host of adverse health outcomes following chronic use: these unwanted effects range from relatively minor inconveniences (e.g., polydipsia and polyuria) to potentially major complications (e.g., hypothyroidism and/or renal impairment). As these undesirable effects can limit patient compliance, an alternative lithium compound with a lesser toxicity profile would dramatically improve treatment efficacy and outcomes. Lithium orotate (LiC5H3N2O4; henceforth referred to as LiOr), a compound largely abandoned since the late 1970s, may represent such an alternative. LiOr is proposed to cross the blood–brain barrier and enter cells more readily than Li2CO3, which will theoretically allow for reduced dosage requirements and ameliorated toxicity concerns. This review addresses the controversial history of LiOr, complete with discussions of experimental and clinical efficacy, putative mechanisms of action, adverse effects, and its potential future in therapy.https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.2262increased therapeutic windowLithium ToxicityMaintenance TherapyManiaMood StabilizerPharmacokinetics |
| spellingShingle | Anthony G. Pacholko Lane K. Bekar Lithium orotate: A superior option for lithium therapy? Brain and Behavior increased therapeutic window Lithium Toxicity Maintenance Therapy Mania Mood Stabilizer Pharmacokinetics |
| title | Lithium orotate: A superior option for lithium therapy? |
| title_full | Lithium orotate: A superior option for lithium therapy? |
| title_fullStr | Lithium orotate: A superior option for lithium therapy? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Lithium orotate: A superior option for lithium therapy? |
| title_short | Lithium orotate: A superior option for lithium therapy? |
| title_sort | lithium orotate a superior option for lithium therapy |
| topic | increased therapeutic window Lithium Toxicity Maintenance Therapy Mania Mood Stabilizer Pharmacokinetics |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.2262 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT anthonygpacholko lithiumorotateasuperioroptionforlithiumtherapy AT lanekbekar lithiumorotateasuperioroptionforlithiumtherapy |