Lithium efficacy and adverse effects.

The primary use of lithium is as maintenance treatment of bipolar disorders to prevent relapse. Although it effectively treats acute mania, lithium must often be used in conjunction with neuroleptics. Once-daily lithium therapy may help avoid some side effects and long-term renal damage. Neurotoxicity can be a problem for a small number of sensitive patients when neuroleptics and lithium are combined. Whenever possible, lithium should be avoided in the first trimester of pregnancy because of its potential for inducing cardiovascular abnormalities in the fetus.