Experience trying over the counter lithium oronate 5mg daily?

@mdcatlin Since you've posted here in the Caregivers: Dementia Support Group I am thinking that you are asking for your loved one and not for yourself. Is that correct?

I was unfamiliar with this supplement, over the counter lithium oronate 5mg, so I looked up the information such as which companies sell the supplement and their claims. From what I can discern this is a supplement that is considered "natural mental health". I also looked for research study evidence and as you already know it is lacking.

Here is an article published this year, 2025, in the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. I suggest you review this article as you consider lithium oronate supplement:

-- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11954165/pdf/10.1177_07067437251328282.pdf

Personally, I am wary of all supplements sold over-the-counter in the U.S. because these do not proceed through any testing or regulatory measures through the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).

I have read in a source I use (Consumer Lab not to be confused with Consumer Reports) , as recommended by my Integrative Medicine physician at Mayo Clinic, that many supplements do not contain the ingredients in type and measure as listed on the label. Some ingredients may be of no value (inert) while others may be toxic. In addition, some supplements interact with prescribed medications which should be discussed with one's prescribing physician.

ConsumerLab.com (this is a paid membership but in my view it is well worth the price).

-- https://www.consumerlab.com/

I don't have any experiences, good or bad, with lithium oronate. While 5mg seems like a small dose there is the risk of toxicity with lithium as cautioned in the article I cited above from the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry.

I recommend caution with spending money on any supplements that may not be helpful, interact with prescribed medications, or may not be the product as advertised.

I take a calcium (calcium citrate) supplement as recommended by my endocrinologist for osteoporosis. Before purchase, I look up calcium products in Consumer Lab and buy what is recommended before purchase.

I'm sorry I cannot provide you with any personal experiences. Is the information I did provide helpful as you consider this supplement?

Dear Helen,
Thanks for your thoughtful response. I am asking on behalf of my spouse diagnosed with AD. Her physician, when asked this, responded as I expected. He discussed the limitations of the research, the possible toxicity of lithium and the lack of FDA oversight of supplements. All valid points. But, given no approved treatment is available, it seems that medical experts should be able to help AD patients willing to try treatments with some reasonable basis in science, outside of clinical trials. Putting aside the legal liability issues, I recall this ethical dilemma during the early days of AIDS treatment research and probably other uncurable diseases since then. If lithium oronate might help, at low doses (below toxic levels) and is very inexpensive, why not support informed patients with trying this? We are not expecting a miracle, but why not try something when offered nothing?

I just heard of using lithium from a good friend. After researching I will not be giving it to my husband for the following reasons. He is on 3 different meds for diabetes that show a drug interaction. I could not live with myself if I inflicted harm to him. I do plan on asking his doctor about it at our next appt. It seems that as new things come up there is always a reason not to take it.

Dear maryjo718,
Agree that concerns about possible adverse interactions should be considered in this decision-making. Having the assistance of medical/drug expertise is crucial for patients and their families to make informed decisions. If physician don't help, where does that leave us?

@mdcatlin You are very welcome. I'm glad to know that my response was helpful to you.

Impressed by how well you've thought all of this through. As you know, we don't provide medical advice as we aren't medical providers here on Mayo Clinic Connect. We can point our members in the direction where they can get more information or help them with their questions for their medical providers.

Will you let me know what you and spouse decide to do?

I will give you a similar example. My SIL, a highly respected and decorated BS RN nurse got roped into a claim that vitamin infusions which were not approved by the FDA and only given in Canada were going to cure her 50 year old husband's terminal cancer. Then she was sure radiation, not recommended byMSK, would work. $10,000 later and 5 years after his passing, she voiced how desperate she was grasping at straws, anything to stop the progression. It's unfortunate and I feel your pain. However, you don't want to harm your husband. It surprises me that lithium is legal without a Rx. It can be toxic to the nervous system.

I’ve been wondering the same thing. It sounds so promising, but we don’t know the risks.

I also recommend first that you tell your doctor what you are thinking of trying after you have researched it ( even if he doesn’t know anything about it- bring him the research).
I also subscribe to Consumer Lab. Excellent resource for supplements.
And I always make sure all of my doctors know every supplement I take- how much and for what purpose.
It’s all in my electronic chart.
If ever you go to ER with any symptoms, they need to check all medications and that should include supplements.