Lithium can be used as monotherapy or in combination with other medications for the treatment of bipolar disorder. It is most efficacious in maintenance and prophylaxis and is widely used as a mood stabiliser, and has efficacy in both poles of the disorder. It is important to monitor both response and adverse effects and to regularly measure the plasma concentrations of lithium. This ensures adequacy of treatment and enhances compliance. If used wisely, lithium is relatively well tolerated and not complex to administer. It remains one of a handful of potentially life-changing treatments in psychiatry.
Professor Malhi has received grant or research support from the National Health and Medical Research Council, NSW Health, AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, Organon, Pfizer, Servier and Wyeth; he has been a speaker for AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, Janssen Cilag, Lundbeck, Pfizer, Ranbaxy, Servier and Wyeth; and a consultant for AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, Janssen Cilag, Lundbeck and Servier.
Professor Berk has received support from the National Institutes of Health, Simons Autism Foundation, Cancer Council of Victoria, Stanley Medical Research Foundation, MBF, National Health and Medical Research Council, BeyondBlue, Geelong Medical Research Foundation, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, GlaxoSmithKline, Organon, Novartis, Mayne Pharma and Servier. He has been a speaker for AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen Cilag, Lundbeck, Merck, Pfizer, Sanofi Synthelabo, Servier, Solvay and Wyeth, and has served as a consultant to AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen Cilag, Lundbeck and Servier.