Lithium Carbonate

Fresh air, rest. Refer for medical attention.

Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower. Refer for medical attention .

First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.

Rinse mouth. Give one or two glasses of water to drink. Refer for medical attention .

This chemical is a combustible solid. Use dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray, or alcohol foam extinguishers. Poisonous gases are produced in fire. If material or contaminated runoff enters waterways, notify downstream users of potentially contaminated waters. Notify local health and fire officials and pollution control agencies. From a secure, explosion-proof location, use water spray to cool exposed containers. If cooling streams are ineffective (venting sound increases in volume and pitch, tank discolors, or shows any signs of deforming), withdraw immediately to a secure position. If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped in OSHA 1910.156.

Evacuate persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill or leak until clean-up is complete. Remove all ignition sources. Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe manner and deposit in sealed containers. Ventilate area after clean-up is complete. It may be necessary to contain and dispose of this chemical as a hazardous waste. If material or contaminated runoff enters waterways, notify downstream users of potentially contaminated waters. Contact your Department of Environmental Protection or your regional office of the federal EPA for specific recommendations. If employees are required to clean-up spills, they must be properly trained and equipped. OSHA 1910.120(q) may be applicable.

SRP: At the time of review, criteria for land treatment or burial (sanitary landfill) disposal practices are subject to significant revision. Prior to implementing land disposal of waste residue (including waste sludge), consult with environmental regulatory agencies for guidance on acceptable disposal practices.

Personal protection: particulate filter respirator adapted to the airborne concentration of the substance. Sweep spilled substance into covered containers. If appropriate, moisten first to prevent dusting. Wash away remainder with plenty of water.

SRP: The scientific literature for the use of contact lenses in industry is conflicting. The benefit or detrimental effects of wearing contact lenses depend not only upon the substance, but also on factors including the form of the substance, characteristics and duration of the exposure, the uses of other eye protection equipment, and the hygiene of the lenses. However, there may be individual substances whose irritating or corrosive properties are such that the wearing of contact lenses would be harmful to the eye. In those specific cases, contact lenses should not be worn. In any event, the usual eye protection equipment should be worn even when contact lenses are in place.

Personnel protection: Avoid breathing vapors or dusts. Avoid bodily contact with the material. ... Do not handle broken packages unless wearing appropriate personal protective equipment. If contact with the material anticipated, wear appropriate chemical protective clothing. Wash away any material which may have contacted the body with copious amounts of water or soap and water. Avoid breathing dusts, and fumes from burning material. ...

Personal Protective Methods: Wear protective gloves and clothing to prevent any reasonable probability of skin contact. Safety equipment suppliers/manufacturers can provide recommendations on the most protective glove/clothing material for your operation. All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) should be clean, available each day, and put on before work. Contact lenses should not be worn when working with this chemical. Wear dust-proof chemical goggles and face shield unless full facepiece respiratory protection is worn. Employees should wash immediately with soap when skin is wet or contaminated. Provide emergency showers and eyewash. Specific engineering controls are required for drug manufacture by the Food and Drug Administration. Refer to FDA regulation for Good Manufacturing Practices 21CFR210.

First Aid: If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove any contact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts the skin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediately with soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure, begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions) if breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. Transfer promptly to a medical facility. When this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention. Give large quantities of water and induce vomiting. Do not make an unconscious person vomit. Medical observation is recommended for 24 to 48 hours after breathing overexposure, as pulmonary edema may be delayed. As first aid for pulmonary edema, a doctor or authorized paramedic may consider administering a corticosteroid spray.

Concurrent administration of lithium carbonate and potassium iodide or other iodine-containing compounds may enhance hypothyroid and goitrogenic effects of either drug.

In normal volunteers whose conditions were stabilized with lithium carbonate there were no significant changes in serum lithium levels during a 2 week period while they received 40 mg/day of furosemide during another 2 week period, a 50 mg/kg dosage of hydrochlorothiazide increased the serum lithium levels.

Concurrent use /of amphetamines/ with lithium /carbonate or citrate/ may antagonize the CNS stimulating effects of amphetamines.

Reversible increase in serum lithium concentrations and toxicity have been reported during concurrent use /of lithium carbonate or citrate/ with ACE inhibitors; frequent monitoring of serum lithium concentrations is recommended during concurrent use.

For more Interactions (Complete) data for LITHIUM CARBONATE (33 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Cough. Headache. Nausea. Sore throat.

Redness. Pain.

Redness. Pain.

Abdominal cramps. Diarrhoea. Drowsiness. Unconsciousness. Vomiting.

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ The therapeutic use of lithium carbonate may produce unusual toxic responses. These include neuromuscular changes (tremor, muscle hyperirritability, and ataxia), central nervous system changes (blackout spells, epileptic seizures, slurred speech, coma, psychosomatic retardation, and increased thirst), cardiovascular changes (cardiac arrhythmia, hypertension, and circulatory collapse), GI changes (anorexia, nausea, and vomiting) and renal damage (albuminuria and glycosuria). The last is believed to be due to temporary hypokalemic nephritis. Long-term sequelae from acute lithium poisoning include cognitive losses such as impaired memory, attention and executive functions and visuospatial deficits.[Klaassen, C.D. (ed). Casarett and Doull's Toxicology. The Basic Science of Poisons. 6th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2001., p. 852]

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ Examination of renal biopsies from patients exposed to lithium carbonate for periods ranging from less than 1 to several years has revealed degenerative changes and inflammatory responses in the kidney. These incl swelling, deformation, and apparent destruction of the nephron.[Gilman, A. G., L. S. Goodman, and A. Gilman. (eds.). Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 6th ed. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc. 1980., p. 434]

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ The following clinical manifestations are useful guidelines for evaluating most patients, and serum lithium /lithium carbonate/ levels alone should not be substituted for clinical observation: Transient mild to moderate side effects occur in most patients at serum levels of 1.5 to 2 mEq/L but may be observed at lower levels, depending on the patient's tolerance. The most common reactions include nausea, diarrhea, malaise, and fine hand tremor. Other common untoward effects are thirst, polyuria, polydipsia, weight gain, and fatigue, which may persist throughout treatment but are reversible when the drug is discontinued. Hand tremor occasionally can be modified by the elimination of caffeine or treated with propranolol if it is necessary to maintain the dosage for antimanic effectiveness.[American Medical Association, Council on Drugs. AMA Drug Evaluations Annual 1994. Chicago, IL: American Medical Association, 1994., p. 312]

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ Drowsiness, vomiting, muscle weakness, ataxia, dryness of the mouth, abdominal pain, lethargy, dizziness, slurred speech, and nystagmus are early symptoms of intoxication. These reactions may occur at concentrations above 1.5 mEq/L and are common at concentrations of 2 mEq/L. Moderate to severe adverse reactions may occur at serum concentrations above 2 mEq/L. At levels of 2 to 2.5 mEq/L, symptoms include anorexia, persistent nausea and vomiting, blurred vision, fasciculations, clonic movements of whole limbs, hyperactive deep tendon reflexes, choreoathetoid movements, epileptiform convulsions, toxic psychosis, syncope, electroencephalographic changes, acute circulatory failure, stupor, and coma. At serum levels above 2.5 mEq/L, symptoms may progress rapidly to generalized convulsions, oliguria, and death. When the serum lithium /lithium carbonate/ level exceeds 1.5 mEq/L or adverse reactions become bothersome regardless of the serum level, the drug generally should be discontinued for 24 hours and therapy then resumed at a lower dose. The patient and those living in the household should be cautioned to notify the physician immediately if untoward symptoms or unexplained illnesses occur.[American Medical Association, Council on Drugs. AMA Drug Evaluations Annual 1994. Chicago, IL: American Medical Association, 1994., p. 312]

For more Human Toxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for LITHIUM CARBONATE (49 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ ... Rats were exposed for 4 hours to aerosols containing 80% lithium carbonate and 20% lithium hydroxide or lithium oxide (aerosol concentration: 620, 1400, 2300, or 2600 mg/cu m), primarily lithium hydroxide and approximately 23% lithium carbonate (aerosol concentration: 570, 840, 1200 or 1500 mg/cu m) or primarily lithium monoxide with some lithium hydroxide and 12% lithium carbonate (aerosol concentration: 500, 750, 1000 or 1500 mg/cu m). The most prominent histopathological changes were ulcerative or necrotic laryngitis, erosive to ulcerative rhinitis often accompanied by areas of squamous metaplasia and in some cases pulmonary lesions, suggested to be secondary to the upper respiratory tract lesions. The lesions were seen mainly in the two highest exposure groups (for all three aerosols), indicating that there was some dose-response pattern. However, lithium carbonate produced both fewer and less severe lesions than the other two exposure regimens at similar concentrations. None of the animals (0/16) exposed to 620 mg/m3 of the aerosol containing 80% lithium carbonate suffered from rhinitis, laryngitis or alveolitis, whereas these lesions were seen in a few animals exposed to the other two aerosols, at the two lowest concentrations.[Nordic Council of Ministers/Arbetslivsinstitutet/The Nordic Expert Group for Criteria Documentation of Health Risks from Chemicals; 131 Lithium and Lithium Compounds p. 17 NR 2002:16. Available from, as of February 9, 2007: http://ebib.arbetslivsinstitutet.se/ah/2002/ah2002_16.pdf]

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ Lithium carbonate was found to be slightly irritating and irritating, respectively, in the rabbit skin and eye Draize test.[European Chemicals Bureau; IUCLID Dataset, Lithium Carbonate (CAS # 554-13-2) p.18. Available from, as of February 7, 2007: http://esis.jrc.ec.europa.eu/]

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ Lithium carbonate was found to be not sensitizing in guinea pig using the Buehler test under OECD guideline 406.[European Chemicals Bureau; IUCLID Dataset, Lithium Carbonate (CAS # 554-13-2) p.19. Available from, as of February 7, 2007: http://esis.jrc.ec.europa.eu/]

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Subchronic or Prechronic Exposure/ Male Sprague Dawley rats receive an average of 106, 478, 1067 or 2083 ppm lithium carbonate through continuous feeding. Six rats per group received diet containing 0.87 (control), 12, 34, 129 and 319 ppm lithium for 12 weeks followed by a diet containing 0.87, 28, 154, 276, and 450 ppm lithium ion for 9 days. A dose-response was observed in the two top dose groups with respect to the body weight gain and food consumption while the other groups were similar to control. Decreases in absolute organ weights were observed in the liver, kidney, spleen and heart, but not in the thyroid or adrenal glands in the high dose group. Relative organ weights (to body weights) were also altered. Brain and heart weight increased and liver and spleen weight were decreased as dosage increased.[European Chemicals Bureau; IUCLID Dataset, Lithium Carbonate (CAS # 554-13-2) p.20. Available from, as of February 7, 2007: http://esis.jrc.ec.europa.eu/]

Lithium should be used cautiously in patients with preexisting cardiovascular or thyroid disease. Patients with underlying cardiovascular disease should be observed carefully for signs and symptoms of arrhythmia (including periodic ECG determinations), and serum lithium concentrations should be kept within the therapeutic range since nodal arrhythmias may occur. Patients with underlying hypothyroidism should have thyroid function (T3, T4, and TSH concentrations) evaluated yearly and be given supplemental thyroid therapy when needed.

NIOSH (NOES Survey 1981-1983) has statistically estimated that 198 workers (151 of these are female) (Hazard Code X6906) and 39,147 workers (17,568 of these are female) (Hazard Code 84414) are potentially exposed to lithium carbonate in the US(1).

Emergency and Supportive Measures: In obtunded patients, maintain an open airway and assist ventilation if necessary. Administer supplemental oxygen. Treat coma, seizures, and hyperthermia if they occur. In dehydrated patients, replace fluid deficits with intravenous crystalloid solutions. Initial treatment should include repletion of sodium and water ... . Once fluid deficits are replaced, give hypotonic (eg, half-normal saline) solutions because continued administration of normal saline often leads to hypernatremia, especially in patients with lithium-induced nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. /Lithium,NOS/

Specific Drugs and Antidotes: There is no specific antidote. Thiazides and indomethacin have been used for treatment of /lithium induced/ nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. /Lithium,NOS/

Decontamination measures are appropriate after acute ingestion but not chronic intoxication. consider gastric lavage for a large recent ingestion. Activated charcoal does not absorb lithium but may be useful if other drug ingestion is suspected. Whole-bowl irrigation may enhance gut decontamination, especially in cases involving sustained-release preparations that are not likely to dissolve readily during the lavage procedure. Oral administration of sodium polystyrene sulfonate has been advocated for attempts to reduce lithium absorption, but there is insufficient evidence of safety or effectiveness./Lithium,NOS/

Enhanced Elimination: Lithium is excreted exclusively by the kidneys. The clearance is about 25% of the glomerular filtration rate and is reduced by sodium depletion or dehydration. Hemodialysis removes lithium effectively and is indicated for intoxicated patients with seizures or severely abnormal mental status and for patients unable to excrete lithium renally (ie, anephric and anuric patients). Repeated and prolonged dialysis may be necessary because of slow movement of lithium out of the CNS. There is not consensus on the level of lithium at which one must dialyze for lithium toxicity. /Lithium,NOS/

For more Antidote and Emergency Treatment (Complete) data for LITHIUM CARBONATE (13 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Lithium Carbonate was selected for /immunotoxicity/ evaluation because there are data in the literature showing that this drug produces consistent effects on the bone marrow. There is a minimal amount of data on the effects of Lithium Carbonate on the immune system. The doses of Lithium Carbonate were initially established based on probe studies and then modified based on the dose response data that became available. The first doses were 50, 200 and 400 mg/kg; the period of exposure was 14 days and the route of exposure was gavage. Doses were modified to 100, 300 and 400 mg/kg in repeat and later studies because of a lack of effect at 50 and 200 mg/kg. Lithium Carbonate at doses up to 400 mg/kg produced a slight decrease in weight gain, a major diuresis, mild hepatitis and spleen hyperplasia (specifically an increase in the number of germinal centers). There was a dose dependent decrease in liver and thymus weight. There was a dose dependent increase in leukocyte and erythrocyte number and a concommitant increase in hemoglobin and hematocrit. These changes can be accounted for by an increase in bone marrow activity, as seen in an increase in cell number and stem cells; the increase in stem cells is based on the number of stem cells per femur. No increase was noted in the stem cells based on 105 cells. A dose dependent increase in total protein and albumin occurred, which may be a function of the mild chemically induced hepatitis. However, no increase in SGPT was seen. summary of the immune studies is outlined in Table S-2. Lithium Carbonate produced a dose dependent shift in the ratio of T cells to B cells. B cell number increased, with an associated increase in response to the B cell mitogen, lipopolysaccharide. No changes were seen in the ability of the mice to produce specific IgM or IgG antibody to the T dependent antigen sheep erythrocytes. The decrease in the number of T cells was not associated with changes in the response to the T cell mitogens, Concanavalin A and Phytohemagglutinin, and allogeneic cells (MLR) or in the ability of the mice to develop a delayed hypersensitivity response to keyhole limpet hemocyanin or dinitrofluorobenzene. NK cell activity and serum complement levels were unaffected by exposure to Lithium Carbonate. Macrophages were a target for Lithium Carbonate. The phagocytic activity of the fixed macrophages of the liver and mobile macrophages derived from the peritoneal cavity was mildly suppressed. An increase in 5'nucleotidase was seen and is congruent with a more immature cell. However, an increase in beta-glucuronidase was seen and could explain the increased resistance to Listeria monocytogenes. Two pathogens were used to evaluate host resistance in mice exposed to Lithium Carbonate. Plasmodium yoelii was used because it represents a model in which antibody and, thus, B lymphocytes play an important role in host resistance. Mice exposed to Lithium Carbonate showed no change in resistance to Plasmodium yeolii. Listeria monocytogenes was selected as the second pathogen because host resistance is primarily mediated by T cells and macrophages. Mice exposed to Lithium Carbonate and challenged to Listeria monocytogenes were slightly more resistant than either the vehicle or the comparative controls. The increased resistance may be due to increased lysosomal activity of macrophages. Results from the host resistance studies support the data from the immunological assays. Lithium Carbonate up to maximum tolerated doses administered daily for 14 days produced minimal effects on the immune system. Although there was a change in the ratio of B and T cells, differentiated function of these cells was not altered. Macrophages were a target, with a slight to mild decrease in phagocytic activity and an increase in the activity of beta-glucuronidase.

The Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations List identifies currently marketed prescription drug products, incl lithium carbonate, approved on the basis of safety and effectiveness by FDA under sections 505 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

The Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations List identifies currently marketed prescription drug products, incl lithium citrate, approved on the basis of safety and effectiveness by FDA under sections 505 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. /Lithium Citrate/

A lithium salt, classified as a mood-stabilizing agent. Lithium ion alters the metabolism of biogenic monoamines in the central nervous system, and affects multiple neurotransmission systems. [ChemIDplus] Used in medicine for the treatment of bipolar depression and in manufacturing as a flux (glasses, enamels, and ceramics), additive (control cement setting times and produce aluminum, luminescent paints, vanishes, and dyes), coating (arc-welding electrodes), and catalyst; [CHEMINFO]

Aluminum Producing [Category: Industry]

MEDICATION

THERAPCAT: Antimanic

In the production of glazes on ceramic and electrical porcelain.

Catalyst; mfr other lithium compd, coating of arcwelding electrodes; nucleonics; luminescent paints; varnishes & dyes; glass ceramics; aluminum production; ceramics and porcelin glazes; pharmaceuticals.

Finely ground ore is roasted with sulfuric acid at 250 dec C, lithium sulfate is leached and converted to the carbonate by precip with soda ash; reaction of lithium oxide with carbon dioxide or ammonium carbonate solution.

Lithium-bearing ores + sulfuric acid + sodium carbonate + calcium hydroxide (acid extraction process); lithium-bearing ores + sodium carbonate (carbonate extraction process); brine, residual + calcium oxide/dolomite, calcined (precipitation; byproduct of magnesium hydroxide production).

Lithium carbonate is produced in industrial processes from the reaction of sodium carbonate and lithium sulfate or lithium chloride solutions.

Lithium carbonate is produced entirely from minerals or naturally occurring brines. The solution of lithium salts initially obtained (lithium sulfate, lithium chloride) is reacted with sodium carbonate solution and lithium carbonate is precipitated, or lithium hydrogen carbonate is formed first and then decomposed thermally.

Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing

Carbonic acid, lithium salt (1:2): ACTIVE

Chemical intermediate for the synthesis of lithium bromide, lithium chloride, lithium hydroxide, lithium silicate