Lithium
Lithium carbonate
Also known as: Camcolit · Liskonum · Priadel · Lithium · Li2CO3
Reviewed by the VetSheet Veterinary TeamUpdated Apr 5, 2026Evidence-based veterinary reference
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Dosing by species
🌎 NA — North America🌍 EU — Europe
Dogs
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bone marrow suppression / neutropenia | 10 mg/kg | PO | q12h | — | 🌍 EU |
- Bone marrow suppression / neutropenia: Give with food.
Cats
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contraindicated | Do not use | PO | — | — | 🌍 EU |
- Contraindicated: Lithium is toxic to cats.
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Overview
Lithium carbonate is primarily used in veterinary medicine to stimulate bone marrow production. It is indicated for the treatment of idiopathic aplastic anaemia, cytotoxic drug-induced neutropenia or thrombocytopenia, oestrogen-induced bone marrow suppression, and cyclic haemopoiesis.
Clinical Warning: There is a lag phase of up to 4 weeks before its clinical effects may be seen.
Experimental studies suggest lithium may prevent neutropenia associated with cytotoxic drugs when administered concomitantly, though robust clinical trials are lacking.
Clinical Pearl: The recommended therapeutic serum lithium concentration is 0.5-1.8 mmol/l, which should be assessed every 3 months if possible.
Mechanism of action
Lithium stimulates bone marrow stem cells, causing an increase in the production of haemopoietic cell lines → particularly granulocytes.
Safety & warnings
Contraindications
- Cats (highly toxic)
- Renal impairment
- Cardiac disease
- Conditions with sodium imbalance (e.g., hypoadrenocorticism)
- Dehydration
Adverse effects
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Muscle weakness
- Fatigue
- Polyuria (PU)
- Polydipsia (PD)
- Seizures
- Hypothyroidism (blocks release of T3 and T4)
Precautions
WARNING: Do not use in cats as lithium is highly toxic to them.
WARNING: Avoid in patients with renal impairment, cardiac disease, or sodium imbalance. Only use in patients showing no signs of dehydration.
- Therapeutic Monitoring: Assess serum lithium concentration every 3 months (target: 0.5-1.8 mmol/l).
- Thyroid Monitoring: Assess thyroid status every 6 months, as lithium can block the release of T3 and T4.
Drug interactions
Reduces lithium excretion, increasing the risk of toxicity
Reduces lithium excretion and causes sodium depletion, worsening toxicity
Reduces lithium excretion and causes sodium depletion, worsening toxicity
Reduces lithium excretion, increasing the risk of toxicity
May increase the excretion of lithium, potentially reducing efficacy
Lithium antagonizes the effects of neostigmine
Lithium antagonizes the effects of pyridostigmine
Concurrent administration may result in neurotoxicity
Concurrent administration may result in neurotoxicity
Monitoring
- Serum lithium concentration (target 0.5-1.8 mmol/l, assess every 3 months)
- Thyroid status (T3 and T4, assess every 6 months)
- Renal function
- Hydration status and serum sodium levels
Overdose
Lithium is nephrotoxic at high doses. Toxicity is significantly worsened by sodium depletion (e.g., concurrent diuretic use or dehydration). Signs of toxicity may include severe nausea, diarrhoea, muscle weakness, polyuria/polydipsia, and seizures.
Available products
Formulations
- 250 mg oral tablet
- 400 mg oral tablet
Human-labeled
- Camcolit 250 mg tablet
- Camcolit 400 mg tablet
- Liskonum 450 mg tablet (strength varies by region)
- Priadel 200 mg tablet
- Priadel 400 mg tablet
Regulatory status
Human authorized products used off-label under the cascade (POM).
Human authorized products used off-label under the cascade (POM).
No regulatory data for: 🇺🇸 US · 🇭🇰 HK · 🇹🇼 TW · 🇯🇵 JP · 🇰🇷 KR · 🇦🇺 AU
Storage & stability
Normal precautions should be observed. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Client information
Give this medication with food to reduce stomach upset.
It may take up to 4 weeks before the medication starts working to improve your dog's blood cell counts.
Watch your dog closely for signs of excessive drinking and urination, muscle weakness, extreme tiredness, or seizures, and contact your veterinarian immediately if these occur.
Do not give this medication to cats, as it is highly toxic to them. Keep all follow-up appointments, as your dog will need regular blood tests to check the drug levels and thyroid function.
VetSheet drug reference is intended for licensed veterinary professionals as a clinical decision-support aid, not a substitute for professional judgement or the manufacturer’s current label.