Holistic Health The Benefits of Lithium Orotate By Cathy Wong Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Caitilin Kelly, MD on November 22, 2019 Caitilin Kelly, MD, is a clinical physician at Indiana University Health Bloomington Hospital and is board-certified in internal medicine. Learn about our Review Board Caitilin Kelly, MD Updated on February 03, 2020 Print Verywell / JR Bee Lithium orotate is a substance that consists of lithium (an alkali metal) and orotic acid (a compound produced naturally in the body). Available in dietary supplement form, lithium orotate is touted as a natural treatment for a wide range of mental health problems. In alternative medicine, lithium orotate is sometimes promoted as an alternative to lithium, a medication prescribed to treat and prevent episodes of mania in people with bipolar disorder. Lithium is said to treat and prevent manic episodes by reducing abnormal brain activity. Although orotic acid is sometimes referred to as vitamin B13, it's not actually considered a vitamin. In the human body, orotic acid can be produced from microorganisms found in the intestines. Uses In alternative medicine, lithium orotate is purported to treat and prevent the following conditions: AlcoholismAlzheimer's diseaseAnxietyAttention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)Bipolar disorderCluster headachesDepressionGlaucomaInsomniaMigraineParkinson's diseasePost-traumatic stress disorder In addition, lithium orotate is used to reduce stress, relieve pain, and improve memory. It's important to note that there is currently a lack of scientific support for lithium orotate's effectiveness as an alternative to lithium. Research on the health effects of lithium orotate is very limited. Although a number of studies published in the 1970s and 1980s determined that lithium orotate may offer certain benefits, more recent research on lithium orotate is lacking. The available research on lithium orotate includes a small study published in the journal Alcohol in 1986. In a six-month-long experiment involving 42 people with alcoholism, researchers found that daily treatment with lithium orotate helped protect against relapses in alcoholism. How Different Mental Illnesses Are Diagnosed and Treated Side Effects and Safety Due to a lack of research, little is known about the safety of lithium orotate supplements. However, there's some evidence that lithium orotate may have some toxic effects. For instance, a 2007 report published in the Journal of Medical Toxicology warns that chronic use of lithium orotate may cause nausea and tremors. There's some concern that the use of lithium orotate may lower kidney function. In addition, the use of lithium orotate may cause adverse effects similar to those that result from lithium toxicity. Along with nausea and vomiting, these adverse effects include cardiac arrhythmias and neurological problems. Severe toxicity may cause confusion, kidney failure, low blood pressure, coma, and occasionally death. Due to the health risks associated with lithium toxicity, safe use of lithium requires periodic blood-testing to ensure that toxic levels of the drug are not being reached. Also, lithium may interact with a variety of medications such as ACE inhibitors, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, calcium channel blockers, dextromethorphan, loop diuretics, meperidine, methyldopa, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Due to safety concerns, using lithium orotate without the supervision of a healthcare professional is strongly discouraged. A Word From Verywell It's also important to note that self-treating a chronic condition (such as bipolar disorder) with lithium orotate, and avoiding or delaying standard care, may have serious consequences. If you're considering the use of lithium orotate in the treatment of a chronic medical condition, it's crucial to consult your physician before starting your supplement regimen. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Machado-Vieira R, Manji HK, Zarate CA. The role of lithium in the treatment of bipolar disorder: convergent evidence for neurotrophic effects as a unifying hypothesis. Bipolar Disord. 2009;11 Suppl 2:92-109. doi:10.1111/j.1399-5618.2009.00714.x ECMDB. Orotic Acid. Balon R. Possible Dangers of a "Nutritional Supplement" Lithium Orotate. Ann Clin Psychiatry. 2013;25(1):71. Lakhan SE, Vieira KF. Nutritional Therapies for Mental Disorders. Nutr J. 2008;7:2. doi:10.1186/1475-2891-7-2 Sartori HE. Lithium Orotate in the Treatment of Alcoholism and Related Conditions. Alcohol. 1986;3(2):97-100. doi:10.1016/0741-8329(86)90018-2 Pauzé DK & Brooks DE. Lithium toxicity from an internet dietary supplement. J Med Toxicol. 2007;3(2):61-2. doi:10.1007/BF03160910 Gitlin M. Lithium side effects and toxicity: prevalence and management strategies. Int J Bipolar Disord. 2016;4(1):27. doi:10.1186/s40345-016-0068-y Additional Reading Balon R. Possible Dangers of a "Nutritional Supplement" Lithium Orotate. Ann Clin Psychiatry. 2013 Feb;25(1):71. ECMDB. Orotic Acid. http://ecmdb.ca/compounds/ECMDB00226. Lakhan SE, Vieira KF. Nutritional Therapies for Mental Disorders. Nutr J. 2008;7:2. doi:10.1186/1475-2891-7-2 Machado-Vieira R, Manji HK, Zarate CA. The Role of Lithium in the Treatment of Bipolar Disorder: Convergent Evidence for Neurotrophic Effects as a Unifying Hypothesis. Bipolar Disord. 2009;11 Suppl 2:92-109. doi:10.1111/j.1399-5618.2009.00714.x Menegueti MG, Basile-filho A, Martins-filho OA, Auxiliadora-martins M. Severe Arrhythmia After Lithium Intoxication in a Patient with Bipolar Disorder Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. Indian J Crit Care Med. 2012;16(2):109-11. doi:10.4103/0972-5229.99134 National Institutes of Health. Lithium: MedlinePlus Drug Information. November 2012. Pauzé DK & Brooks DE. Lithium Toxicity from an Internet Dietary Supplement. J. Med. Toxicol. 2007;3(2):61-2. doi:10.1007/BF03160910 Sartori HE. Lithium Orotate in the Treatment of Alcoholism and Related Conditions. Alcohol. 1986;3(2):97-100. doi:10.1016/0741-8329(86)90018-2 Smith DF, Schou M. Kidney Function and Lithium Concentrations of Rats Given an Injection of Lithium Orotate or Lithium Carbonate. 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