Lithium is one of the audits required in the Pharmacy Quality Scheme 2019/20 for pharmacies in England and Wales. These audits will already be underway so this module will help to support pharmacy teams to complete it and provides a refresher on lithium.

Both NICE and British Association for Psychopharmacology (BAP) guidance recommend that lithium should be used first-line for long-term treatment of bipolar disorder and this is its main use. Lithium is also licensed for the treatment of recurrent depression and is recommended by NICE. 

In recurrent depression, lithium is used to augment antidepressant treatment so they will be prescribed together. Lithium is also used to treat migraines or cluster headaches; this is an unlicensed use of lithium and should be closely monitored by neurologists.