The OTC nutritional supplement is being marketed for stress relief with directions that recommend taking 1 to 3 pills daily. It claims to also be useful for depression, anxiety and mood swings. There have also been some claims that it is useful in preventing Alzheimer’s disease.

The problem is that there is no definitive evidence that shows this supplement can prevent Alzheimer’s. There is also the possibility of taking too much of the OTC supplement, causing toxicity. Unfortunately, OTC nutritional supplements do not go through the same stringent requirements that drugs not marketed as nutritional supplements go through. Part of this stringent process is to make sure the drug contains the ingredients it claims to contain. As a result, many supplements contain varying amounts of active ingredients and may contain other ingredients not listed on the label.

It may be prudent to avoid the OTC lithium supplement. If you choose to take it, be aware of the potential side effects of lithium toxicity such as shakiness, tremor, muscle weakness, diarrhea and vomiting. Report any suspected side effects promptly to your doctor.

Author: Christi Larson, Pharm. D.

Dr. Larson is a Clinical Infusion Pharmacist, author of Empowered Medicine; A Guide for Consumers and creator of www.empoweredmedicine.com. You can read more about her by visiting www.EmpoweredMedicine.com and clicking on the 'About Us' tab.  EmpoweredMedicine.com is committed to providing evidence-based medical information.