Lithium carbonate – description of the drug, instructions for use, reviews

Lithium carbonate

Lithium carbonate

is an inorganic compound, the lithium carbonate salt with the formula Li 2CO 3. This white salt is widely used in the processing of metal oxides and the treatment of mood disorders.

For the treatment of bipolar disorder, it is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most important medications needed in a basic healthcare system. [6]

Chemical properties of lithium carbonate

Lithium carbonate is a salt formed by the alkali metal lithium and carbonic acid. The substance is a colorless powder or odorless crystals. The product is poorly soluble in water (especially hot water), and practically insoluble in alcohols. Its molecular weight = 73.9 grams per mole. Melting point is about 618 degrees Celsius.

Lithium Carbonate is used in the production of plastics, pyrotechnics, porcelain, glass ceramics, in the desulfurization of steel, and in the glass industry.

For medical purposes, lithium salts began to be used by ancient physicians. They used alkaline mineral waters rich in lithium compounds to treat patients with agitation and other mental disorders accompanied by euphoria.

By 1949, Australian scientist John Cade was injecting Lithium Carbonate to treat schizophrenia, depression and various manias. Then, due to the high toxicity of such compounds, a ban on their use was introduced until 1970. Nowadays, Lithium Carbonate is actively used in medicine as a mood stabilizer and antipsychotic.

Physical properties of lithium carbonate

The physical properties of lithium carbonate in its aggregate state characterize the substance as a powder without color or pronounced odor. This reagent is characterized by good solubility in cold water; in hot water, the dissolution of the reagent is much worse. Melting and decomposition of lithium carbonate occurs at high temperatures, more than 1310° C.

When heated to the melting point, lithium carbonate is unstable and begins to decompose. Decomposition also occurs when interacting with dilute acids. When reacting with more active metals, lithium carbonate is displaced from the salt.

Lithium carbonate is produced from oxides (the reaction occurs when heated above 500° C) or from alkalis. The substance can also be obtained through metabolic reactions.

Recommendations

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   . Van Nostrand.
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   “lithium carbonate”
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3. Patnaik will die. Handbook of Inorganic Chemicals
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   Sigma-Aldrich Co., Lithium Carbonate. Retrieved June 3, 2014.
5. Michael Chambers. "ChemIDplus - 554-13-2 - XGZVUEUWXADBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-L - Lithium Carbonate [USAN: USP: JAN] - Search for similar structures, synonyms, formulas, resource links and other chemical information." Chem.sis.nlm.nih.gov
   . Retrieved 2017-01-02.
6. "WHO Model List of Essential Medicines" (PDF). World Health Organization
   . October 2013. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
7. ^ a b
   Ulrich Witelmann, Richard J. Bauer (2005).
   "Lithium and lithium compounds." Ullman Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry
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8. "lithium, lithobid: drug facts, side effects and dosage." medicinenet.com
   . 2016-06-17. Retrieved 2017-01-02.
9. Yildiz, A; Gulerez, S; Ankerst, D.P.; Ongür, D; Renshaw, P.F. (2008). "Protein kinase C inhibition in the treatment of mania: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of tamoxifen" (PDF). Archives of General Psychiatry
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   (3): 255–63. Doi:10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2007.43. PMID 18316672.
10. Lithium Carbonate at PubChem
11. Richard T. Timmer; Jeff M. Sands (1999-03-01). "Lithium intoxication." Jasn.asnjournals.org
    . Retrieved 2017-01-02.
12. Simard, M; Gumbiner, B; Lee, A; Lewis, N; Norman D. (1989). “Lithium carbonate poisoning. Case history and literature review" (PDF). Archives of Internal Medicine
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    (1):36–46. Doi:10.1001/archinte.149.1.36. PMID 2492186. Archived from the original (PDF) on 07/26/2011. Retrieved 2010-09-11.
13. "Chemistry of Fireworks".
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    Greenwood, N. N.; & Earnshaw, A. (1997). Chemistry of the Elements (2nd ed.), Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann. Pages = 84-85 ISBN 0-7506-3365-4.
15. Caley, E. R.; Elving, P. J. (1939). "Purification of lithium carbonate". Inorganic syntheses
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16. David Barthelme. "Mineral data on zabuelite". Mineralogy Database
    . Retrieved 2010-02-07.
17. "Junior Mining Companies Leading Lithium Exploration." www.juniorminingnetwork.com. Received 2017-03-30.
18. “MGX Minerals receives independent confirmation of rapid lithium recovery process.” www.juniorminingnetwork.com. Retrieved 2017-04-20.
19. mindat.org

Scope of application of lithium carbonate

The areas of use of lithium carbonate and what the chemical is used for in each of them is not limited to one or two areas of activity. The reagent has found wide application in almost all areas, including:

1. Industrial production of batteries and complexes aimed at energy storage. Thanks to new technological processes in product processing, lithium carbonate is used in the production of lithium batteries in the aerospace industry.
2. Pharmaceutical industry, in which the reagent is included in the list of the most necessary substances. The use of lithium carbonate in medicine is mainly localized in the treatment of mental disorders. Indications for the use of lithium carbonate include biopolar disorder, depression and other disorders.
3. Production of lubricating solutions and materials that are used to increase the productivity and service life of equipment, mechanisms, and tools.
4. Production of substances for air filtration and purification.
5. The aluminum industry, in which lithium carbonate is the main raw material for obtaining metal at the stage of smelting raw materials.
6. Obtaining dense and easily processed glass.
7. Ceramic industry, where lithium carbonate is used at every stage of firing the resulting product. Enhancing color, density and wear resistance is what lithium carbonate is used for in the ceramics industry.
8. Aerospace industry in which a chemical is used to produce skin material for spacecraft manufactured for space exploration.
9. The automotive industry, where the chemical is an integral part of the production of smart cars.
10. Construction industry in which lithium carbonate is added to cement mortars to quickly dry the finished product.
11. The unique properties of lithium carbonate make it possible to increase the initial properties of manufactured materials and contribute to the speedy recovery of patients taking medications containing this chemical.

A major consumer of lithium carbonate is the glass industry. Lithium oxide greatly increases the chemical resistance of glass when used together with sodium oxide. As a rule, (0.1-0.4% Li2O) is added to the glass composition. More than 0.15% Li2O in glass leads to:

• lowering the melting point (acts as a flux), which in turn reduces energy costs and prolongs the furnace life.
• reducing the viscosity of glass melt.
• improving the quality and shine of finished products, improving the color of glass

In glassmaking, lithium carbonate is used both in pure form (including lithium oxide) and as part of various minerals, such as: petalite Li2O Al2O3 8SiO2 (4.3-5.7% Li2O), spodumene Li2O Al2O3 ·4SiO2 (7.3-8% Li2O), lepidolite (3.9-6% Li2O), amblygonite (7-10% Li2O).

Properties and reactions[edit]

Unlike sodium carbonate, which forms at least three hydrates, lithium carbonate exists only in anhydrous form. Its solubility in water is low compared to other lithium salts. Isolation of lithium from aqueous extracts of lithium ores takes advantage of this poor solubility. Its apparent solubility increases 10-fold at moderate carbon dioxide pressure; this effect is due to the formation of more soluble metastable bicarbonate: [7]

Li 2CO 3+ CO 2+ H 2O ⇌ 2 LiHCO 3

The extraction of lithium carbonate at high CO 2 pressures and its precipitation during depressurization is the basis of the Quebec process.

Lithium carbonate can also be purified by taking advantage of its reduced solubility in hot water. Thus, heating a saturated aqueous solution causes crystallization of Li 2CO 3. [14]

Lithium carbonate and other group 1 carbonates are difficult to decarboxylate. Lee 2CO3 decomposes at about 1300 °C.

Production[edit]

Lithium is mined primarily from two sources: spodumene in pegmatite deposits and lithium salts in underground salt pools. In 1989, about 30 thousand tons were produced.

From underground brine tanks[edit]

For example, at Salar de Atacama in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, SQM produces lithium carbonate and hydroxide from brine. [15] [16]

The process involves pumping lithium-rich brine from underground into shallow pans for evaporation. Brine contains many different dissolved ions, and as the concentration increases, the salts fall out of solution and settle. The remaining liquid (supernatant) is used in the next step. The exact sequence of pans may vary depending on the ion concentration of the particular brine source.

In the first pan, halite (sodium chloride or table salt) crystallizes. It has insufficient economic value and is discarded. The supernatant with increasing concentrations of dissolved solids is transferred sequentially to a sylvinite (sodium-potassium chloride) pan, a carnalite (potassium-magnesium chloride) pan, and finally a tray designed to maximize the concentration of lithium chloride. The process takes about 15 months. The concentrate (30-35% lithium chloride solution) is delivered by road to Salar del Carmen. Here boron and magnesium are removed (usually residual boron is removed by solvent extraction and/or ion exchange, and magnesium by raising the pH above 10 with sodium hydroxide).[17] then in the final stage, by adding sodium carbonate, the desired lithium carbonate is precipitated, separated and processed.

Some by-products of the evaporation process may also have economic value.

In this water-poor region, great attention is paid to water use. SQM commissioned a life cycle analysis which concluded that water consumption for SQM's lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate is significantly lower than the average production of the main ore process using spodumene. More general life cycle assessments suggest the opposite for reservoir production in general. [18]

Most brine-based production is located in the "lithium triangle" of South America.

From "geothermal" brine[edit]

Another potential source of lithium is leaching products from geothermal wells brought to the surface. [19] Lithium recovery has been demonstrated in the field; lithium is separated by simple precipitation and filtration. [20] Technological and environmental costs are primarily the costs of an already operating well; Thus, the net environmental impact can be positive. [21]

Cornish Lithium Corporation claims that the brine from the Deep Geothermal Power Project at United Downs near Redruth is valuable due to its high lithium concentration (220 mg/l) with low magnesium (<5 mg/l) and total dissolved solids content <29 g/l. [22] and flow rate 40 l/s. [18]

From ore[edit]

α-spodumene is fired at 1100°C for 1 hour to produce β-spodumene, then fired at 250°C for 10 minutes with sulfuric acid. [23] [15]

As of 2021, Australia was the world's largest producer of lithium intermediates [24], all based on spodumene.

In recent years, many mining companies have begun exploring lithium projects throughout North America, South America and Australia to identify economic deposits that could potentially bring new supplies of lithium carbonate online to meet the growing demand for the product.[25]

From clay[edit]

Tesla Motors has announced a revolutionary process for extracting lithium from clay in Nevada using only salt and no acid. This was met with skepticism. [26]

From expired batteries[edit]

Several small companies are actively recycling used batteries, primarily focusing on recovering copper and cobalt. Some also reduce lithium. [27]

Other[edit]

In April 2021, MGX Minerals reported that it had received independent confirmation of its rapid lithium extraction process for recovering lithium and other valuable minerals from oil and gas wastewater

brine.[28]

Electrodialysis has been proposed to extract lithium from seawater

, but this is not commercially feasible. [29]

Pharmacological action of lithium carbonate

According to its pharmacological properties, lithium carbonate is a normothimic agent (normalizes the mental state without causing general lethargy). It also has antidepressant, sedative and antimanic effects. The effect is caused by lithium ions, which, being antagonists of sodium ions, displace them from cells and thereby reduce the bioelectrical activity of brain neurons. Accelerates the breakdown of biogenic amines (the concentration of norepinephrine and serotonin in brain tissue decreases). Increases the sensitivity of neurons in the hippocampus and other areas of the brain to the action of dopamine. Interacts with lipids formed during the metabolism of inositol.

At therapeutic concentrations, it blocks the activity of inosyl-1-phosphatase and reduces the concentration of neuronal inositol, which is involved in the regulation of neuronal sensitivity.

The beneficial effects of lithium in migraine may be due to changes in platelet serotonin and histamine concentrations. The antidepressant effect may be due to increased serotonergic activity and decreased regulation of β-adrenergic receptor function.

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of lithium carbonate

The substance acts as an antagonist of sodium ions in nerve and muscle cells. Thus, muscle weakness develops and the conduction of nerve impulses becomes difficult. Lithium affects the transport of serotonin, norepinephrine and other monoamines; in some areas of the brain, sensitivity to Dopamine increases.

Salts also inhibit the activity of the enzyme inositol, glycogen synthetase kinase 3, and protein kinase C. The substance stimulates a shift in the intraneuronal metabolism of catecholamines.

After penetration into the stomach, the product is quickly and completely adsorbed. Reaches its maximum concentration within 6-12 hours. The half-life is from one day to 2.5 days (after a year of daily use). The medicine crosses the blood-brain barrier and passes into breast milk.

Lithium salts are excreted through the kidneys, depending on the level of sodium and potassium, lithium is either reabsorbed in the renal tubules or maintains its equilibrium concentration in the blood.

Contraindications to the use of lithium carbonate

Lithium carbonate should not be prescribed for the following contraindications:

• with hypersensitivity to the substance;
• after major operations;
• patients with severe cardiovascular diseases;
• for epilepsy and parkinsonism ;
• breastfeeding women;
• if the patient has leukemia , including a history of it;
• with renal failure;
• electrolyte imbalance ;
• pregnant women.

Instructions for use of lithium carbonate (Method and dosage)

The dosage is determined by the attending physician depending on the initial concentration of lithium in the blood plasma. Lithium Carbonate preparations are taken orally.

The average daily dosage for an adult is about 900-2400 mg, distributed over 3-4 doses. The dosage should be selected so that the equilibrium concentration of the drug in the blood is from 0.6 to 1.2 mmol per liter.

As a rule, when taking 1 gram of the substance per day, the optimal equilibrium concentration is achieved within 10-14 days.

If during treatment there are significant improvements in the patient’s condition, then it is highly recommended not to interrupt therapy in order to avoid relapse.

For children, the optimal lithium concentration is 0.5-1 mmol per liter.

Elderly and debilitated patients require dosage adjustment.

During treatment you should not drink alcohol.

CONTENT

• 1 Use 1.1 Batteries
• 1.2 Medical use 1.2.1 Adverse reactions

Interaction of lithium carbonate with other drugs

Below are the main drugs with which lithium carbonate can interact in one way or another.

• Haloperidol, when combined with medication, increases the extrapyramidal symptoms of the disease.
• When taking the substance and iodine together, hypothyroidism is more likely to develop.
• The combination of the drug with thiazide diuretics, methyldopa, metronidazole or Indapamide can lead to a rapid increase in the plasma concentration of lithium in the blood and the development of toxic effects.
• ACE inhibitors and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs increase the concentration of lithium in the blood and increase the risk of adverse reactions.
• The combined use of the substance and alprazolam leads to an increase in the level of lithium in the blood.
• Xanthine derivatives increase the excretion of lithium from the body in the urine, which can lead to a decrease in the effectiveness of the drug.
• When this compound is combined with Acyclovir, the toxic effect of the drug increases.
• It is better not to combine verapamil with the drug; drug interactions are unpredictable.
• With the combined use of the drug and baclofen, isolated cases of increased hyperkinetic symptoms in patients with Huntington's chorea have been described.
• Diltiazem can provoke the development of psychosis.
• Clonazepam, when combined with the drug, exhibits neurotoxic properties.
• The combined use of the substance with sodium chloride or sodium bicarbonate increases the removal of lithium from the body, which leads to a decrease in the effectiveness of lithium preparations.
• With extreme caution, it is necessary to combine the medicine with norepinephrine, phenytoin, fluoxetine, furosemide, bumetanide.
• When taken simultaneously with phenothiazines (chloropromazine), their concentration in the blood decreases by 50%, and the risk of developing delirium, extrapyramidal reactions, and disturbances in the cerebellum increases.

Lithium (medicine)

Lithium is used to treat mania in bipolar disorder. Initially, lithium was often used in combination with antipsychotic medications because it can sometimes take as long as a month to show its effects. Lithium is also used to prevent depression and mania in bipolar disorder. Lithium is sometimes used for other psychiatric disorders such as cycloid psychosis and major depressive disorder. Lithium has a very important anti-suicidal effect that other stabilizing drugs, such as anticonvulsants, do not have. The drug is rarely used for non-psychiatric purposes, however, it has been shown to prevent certain types of headaches associated with cluster headaches, especially night headaches. An Italian human pilot study conducted in 2005-06 suggested that lithium could reduce symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial comparing the safety and efficacy of lithium in combination with riluzole for the treatment of ALS failed to demonstrate benefit of the combination therapy compared with riluzole. Lithium is sometimes used to enhance the effects of standard medications used to treat unipolar depression. Lithium was previously considered an unsuitable drug for children, but more recent studies have shown it to be effective in treating early-onset bipolar disorder in children as young as eight years of age. The required dose (15-20 mg per kg body weight) is slightly less than the toxic level, so lithium blood levels should be carefully monitored during treatment. To prescribe the correct dosage, the entire medical history of the patient, both physical and psychological, should be taken into account. The initial dose of lithium should be 400-600 mg at night and increased weekly based on serum monitoring. Patients taking lithium should have serum levels tested regularly and monitor thyroid and kidney function and possible abnormalities, as the substance interferes with the regulation of sodium and water levels in the body and may cause dehydration. Dehydration made worse by heat can cause lithium levels to increase. Dehydration occurs due to lithium's inhibition of the action of antidiuretic hormone, which mediates the renal absorption of water from urine. This results in an inability to concentrate urine, leading to subsequent loss of body water and thirst. Combining lithium with high doses of haloperidol, fluphenazine, or flupenthixol may be dangerous; There have been reports of irreversible toxic encephalopathy caused by the combined use of these drugs. Lithium salts have a narrow therapeutic/toxic ratio and should not be prescribed in the absence of means to monitor plasma concentrations. Patients should be tested carefully. Doses are adjusted to achieve plasma concentrations of 0.4 to 1.2 mmol Li+/L (lower range for maintenance therapy and elderly patients, higher range for pediatric patients) in samples taken 12 hours after the previous dose. Overdose at plasma concentrations of more than 1.5 mmol Li+/l can be fatal; toxic effects include tremor, ataxia, dysarthria, nystagmus, renal failure, confusion, and seizures. If these potentially dangerous symptoms occur, treatment should be stopped immediately, plasma lithium concentrations checked, and steps necessary to reverse lithium toxicity taken. Lithium toxicity is exacerbated by sodium depletion. Concomitant use of diuretics that inhibit distal tubular sodium uptake (eg, thiazides) is dangerous and should be avoided as it may result in increased resorption of lithium in the proximal convoluted tubule, resulting in elevated, potentially toxic levels of lithium in the body. Sometimes, for minor poisoning, toxicity can be reversed by stopping lithium and giving plenty of sodium and fluids. Plasma concentrations greater than 2.5 mmol Li+/L are generally associated with serious toxicity requiring emergency management. At toxic concentrations, maximum toxicity may occur within one to two days. With long-term use of lithium in therapeutic concentrations, histological and functional changes in the kidneys can be observed. The significance of such changes is unclear, and long-term use of lithium is not recommended. If kidney problems occur, doctors may change a person's bipolar disorder treatment to use a different mood-stabilizing drug, such as valproate (Depakote), instead of lithium. An important potential consequence of long-term lithium use is the development of renal diabetes insipidus (inability to concentrate urine). Therefore, for three to five years, lithium should be used only if there is a visible positive effect. Traditional and time-release tablets are available commercially. The drugs vary in bioavailability, and changes in the formulation used require the same precautions as when starting treatment. You can give preference to any one simple lithium salt; carbonate is more widely used, and citrate is also available. Lithium can be used as a treatment for seborrheic dermatitis (8% lithium gluconate gel). In addition, lithium increases the production of white blood cells in the bone marrow and may be prescribed to patients suffering from leukopenia. Limited evidence suggests that lithium may be useful in treating substance abuse in some patients with dual disorders. In 2009, Japanese researchers from Oita University reported that low levels of naturally occurring lithium in drinking water correlated with low rates of suicide. A previous report showed similar findings in the US state of Texas. In response, psychiatrist Peter Kramer raised the possibility of adding lithium to drinking water as a mineral supplement rather than as a therapeutic agent (the therapeutic dose of lithium carbonate (tablets, capsules) or citrate (liquid) "is typically in the range 900-1200 mg/day" and is adjusted according to the patient's response and blood levels. This is similar to niacin, where a low dose multivitamin tablet is taken as a vitamin supplement to prevent the disease pellagra associated with niacin deficiency, while a high dose prescribed therapeutically to increase levels of high-density lipoprotein (“good” cholesterol).

Safety precautions for storing and transporting lithium carbonate

Lithium carbonate is not assigned any hazard class.
Despite this, the substance can harm humans if used carelessly, stored or transported. When interacting with a chemical reagent, it is important to avoid getting the powder on mucous membranes, clothing and exposed skin. It is important to use personal protective equipment to minimize injury and to work in areas with adequate ventilation. Lithium carbonate is stored in dry warehouses, away from acids. The substance is stored in industrial containers with a hermetically sealed lid.

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** The Drug Directory is intended for informational purposes only. For more complete information, please refer to the manufacturer's instructions. Do not self-medicate; Before starting to use the drug Lithium carbonate, you should consult a doctor. EUROLAB is not responsible for the consequences caused by the use of information posted on the portal. Any information on the site does not replace medical advice and cannot serve as a guarantee of the positive effect of the drug.

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** Attention! The information presented in this medication guide is intended for medical professionals and should not be used as a basis for self-medication. The description of the drug Lithium carbonate is provided for informational purposes and is not intended for prescribing treatment without the participation of a doctor. Patients need to consult a specialist!

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Reviews of lithium carbonate

Reviews about the use of lithium carbonate are good. Doctors especially like the medicine; they note that adverse reactions from it, at moderate dosages, not exceeding 1200 mg per day, are rarely observed. They also prefer to use the drug as monotherapy rather than in combination with antipsychotics . Some patients themselves ask their doctors to switch them to Lithium Carbonate from other medications.

Sources:

• https://medside.ru/litiya-karbonat
• https://www.vidal.ru/drugs/molecule/612
• https://bliznesy.ru/preparaty/karbonat-litiya.html
• https://chem.ru/karbonat-litija.html
• https://snabcomplekt.com/helpful-information/svoystva-karbonata-litiya-primenenie-reagenta-i-pravila-ispolzovaniya/