LITHIUM CITRATE

A lithium salt that is the anhydrous form of the trilithium salt of citric acid. 
The tetrahydrate form is used as a source of lithium for the treatment of anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and depression.
Lithium citrate, a lithium salt of citric acid, finds various industrial applications owing to its unique properties.

CAS:    919-16-4
MF:    C6H5Li3O7
MW:    209.92
EINECS:    213-045-8

Synonyms
demalit;litarex;lithiumcitrateanhydrous;TRI-LITHIUM CITRATE;CITRIC ACID TRILITHIUM SALT;LITHIUM CITRATE;LITHIUM CITRATE TRIBASIC;Citric acid trilithium salt solution

Lithium citrate (Li3C6H5O7) is a lithium salt of citric acid that is used as a mood stabilizer in psychiatric treatment of manic states and bipolar disorder.
There is extensive pharmacology of lithium, the active component of this salt.
Lithium Citrate Syrup, USP is a palatable oral dosage form of lithium ion, with a raspberry flavor. 
Lithium citrate is prepared in solution from lithium hydroxide and citric acid in a ratio approximately dilithium citrate.
Each 5 mL of Lithium Citrate Syrup, USP contains 8 mEq of lithium ion (Li+), equivalent to the amount of lithium in 300 mg of lithium carbonate and alcohol 0.3% v/v. 
Lithium Citrate is an element of the alkali-metal group with atomic number 3, atomic weight 6.94, and an emission line at 671 nm on the flame photometer.

Lithium Citrate is a white, granular or crystalline powder which is soluble in water and slightly soluble in alcohol. 
Lithium Citrate's molecular formula is C6H5Li3O7•4H2O. 
Lithium Citrate's chemical name is 1,2,3-Propanetri-carboxylic acid, 2-hydroxy-trilithium salt tetrahydrate and its molecular weight is 282.0. 
Lithium acts as an antimanic.
Inactive Ingredients: artificial raspberry flavor; citric acid anhydrous, glycerin, methylparaben, propylene glycol, propylparaben, purified water, and sorbitol solution. 
Lithium Citrate may also contain hydrochloric acid, and sodium hydroxide.

History
Lithium citrate was one of the lithium salts used to add lithium to drinks and water (lithia water) in the late 19th century and the early 20th century, when there was a general health craze for lithium with it believed to be a cure-all.
The soft drink 7Up was at one point named "7Up Lithiated Lemon Soda" when it was formulated in 1929 because it claimed to contain lithium citrate. 
The beverage was a patent medicine marketed as a cure for hangover. 
In 1936 the federal government forced the manufacturer to remove a number of health claims, and because "lithium was not an actual ingredient", the name was changed to just "7 Up" in 1937.
Many sources repeat an incorrect version of the story where the name is "Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda" and the removal happened in 1948 due to a Food and Drug Administration ban.
Lithium citrate is used as a mood stabilizer and is used to treat mania, hypomania, depression and bipolar disorder.
Lithium Citrate can be administered orally in the form of a syrup.

Lithium Citrate Chemical Properties
Density: 1.12 g/mL at 20 °C
Solubility: H2O: 1 M at 20 °C, clear, colorless
Form: powder
Color: White
Odor: Odorless
Stability: Stable. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents.
InChI: InChI=1S/C6H8O7.3Li/c7-3(8)1-6(13,5(11)12)2-4(9)10;;;/h13H,1-2H2,(H,7,8)(H,9,10)(H,11,12);;;/q;3*+1/p-3
InChIKey: WJSIUCDMWSDDCE-UHFFFAOYSA-K
EPA Substance Registry System:Lithium Citrate (919-16-4)

Clinical Pharmacology
Preclinical studies have shown that lithium alters sodium transport in nerve and muscle cells and effects a shift toward intraneuronal metabolism of catecholamines, but the specific biochemical mechanism of lithium action in mania is unknown.

Indications and Usage for Lithium Citrate Syrup
Lithium citrate is indicated in the treatment of manic episodes of Bipolar Disorder. 
Bipolar Disorder, Manic (DSM-III) is equivalent to Manic Depressive Illness, Manic, in the older DSM-II terminology.
Lithium Citrate is also indicated as a maintenance treatment for individuals with a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder. 
Maintenance therapy reduces the frequency of manic episodes and diminishes the intensity of those episodes which may occur.
Typical symptoms of mania include pressure of speech, motor hyperactivity, reduced need for sleep, flight of ideas, grandiosity, elation, poor judgement, aggressiveness, and possibly hostility. 
When given to a patient experiencing a manic episode, Lithium Citrate may produce a normalization of symptomatology within 1 to 3 weeks.