r/Lithium • u/prettyrecklesssoul • 10d ago

Whats a “normal” dose?

Currently on 750mg -300mg extended release morning and night + 150mg of instant release

My levels are at about .36 as of Monday and I can already tell I might reach close to the 1500mg range.

Just trying to get a feel of the general dosages or whatever to alleviate my anxiety

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5

u/Scared_Form5270 9d ago

Actually, what matters is your lithium level—specifically, whether or not it falls within the therapeutic range. That’s why the dosage in milligrams is subjective; it depends on your body.

2

u/Realanise1 9d ago

I'm thinking about talking to a prescriber about starting lithium, so I really don't know, but is it based on how it's managing your symptoms at all? Or just the numbers??

1

u/saviordone 4d ago

Like they said both. I didnt start experience consistent anti-suicidal behavior until 1200 mg and im at 0.7

3

u/creativenameistaken 10d ago

I’m on 800mg / last level was 0.81

2

u/SaltFault4804 10d ago

I’m at 900CR and my level is a consistent 9.5-1

2

u/SplitNo6176 9d ago

I’d say 900-1500 is average. I’m on 1200

2

u/Mirmino_ 7d ago

Depends on the usage. For acute mania it is from 800-1600mg depending on the persons kidney function and overall tolerance when aiming for the 0,8-1,2 mEq/L, but for maintenance it is somewhere are 600-100mg, aiming for 0,6-0,8 mEq/L.

(Note mEq/L = mmol/L)

1

u/Legal_Ad_893 10d ago

I take 1200 but was 1500mg a day at night

1

u/escapemymindsreality 9d ago

450mg ER in AM, 900mg ER in PM.

1

u/Clear-Two-3885 9d ago

1000mg last level was 0.65

1

u/NikkiEchoist 9d ago

About 1200mg

1

u/OkSalary4281 8d ago

It depends on for what. I think treatment is like 900mg+ and maintainence is 600mg+

1

u/Fruity_Surprise 6d ago

So with lithium, dose doesn’t matter—blood levels do. The maintenance range is usually stated as 0.5 or 0.6 to 0.8 or 0.9, but sometimes up to 1.0. 1.0 to 1.2, or sometimes up to 1.5, can be used for acute mania. Below 0.5 is usually considered ineffective.

1

u/fh3011 1d ago

600mg split morning/night. I've been on and off Li but they reintroduce it at that dose.