Definition

1. Noun:
   • A chemical compound: A white, crystalline powder with the chemical formula Li₂CO₃, used industrially in the manufacture of glass, ceramics, and other materials.
   • A psychiatric medication: A drug used primarily to treat and prevent episodes of mania in bipolar disorder and to treat some forms of depression.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Industrial Context):

  • The factory uses lithium carbonate to lower the melting point in its glass production.
  • The purity of the lithium carbonate is critical for the quality of the ceramic glaze.

• Noun (Medical Context):

  • The doctor prescribed lithium carbonate to stabilize her mood swings.
  • Patients taking lithium carbonate require regular blood tests to monitor the dosage.

Advanced Usage

• "to be on lithium carbonate": to be prescribed and taking this drug as a long-term treatment.
  • He has been on lithium carbonate for several years to manage his bipolar disorder.

Variants and Related Words

• Lithium (n): The metallic element (Li) from which lithium carbonate is derived. In common medical parlance, "lithium" is often used to refer to the medication lithium carbonate.

  • The patient's lithium levels were within the therapeutic range.

• Trade Names: The drug is sold under various brand names, including Lithane, Lithonate, and Eskalith.

  • The prescription was written for Eskalith, a form of lithium carbonate.

Synonyms

• Li₂CO₃: The chemical formula used as a technical synonym.
• Lithium salt: A general term, though it can refer to other lithium compounds.

Important Notes

• Medical Use: It is classified as a mood stabilizer. Its use requires careful medical supervision due to a narrow therapeutic index, meaning the difference between an effective dose and a toxic dose is small.
• Industrial Use: It is valued for its fluxing properties, which help other materials melt at lower temperatures.

Noun

1. a white powder (LiCO3) used in manufacturing glass and ceramics and as a drug; the drug (trade names Lithane or Lithonate or Eskalith) is used to treat some forms of depression and manic episodes of manic-depressive disorder