Lithium Orotate
Lithium orotate is a salt of the element lithium and orotic acid. It is sold as a low-dose supplement, unlike lithium carbonate, which is a prescription drug.
Why investigate the orotate form?
Some rat experiments found higher brain lithium levels after injected orotate than carbonate; another raised kidney-toxicity concerns. Better brain delivery remains a hypothesis, and injection studies cannot establish the benefits and risks of oral supplements. 1
The review did not establish lithium orotate as an effective alternative treatment for bipolar disorder. 1
Do reassuring animal tests settle safety?
A 2021 toxicology study found no toxicity in rats given lithium orotate for 28 days, and its genetic-toxicity tests were negative. Those findings are useful preclinical evidence, but do not establish long-term human safety or a safe self-treatment dose. 2
What remains outside this review?
This page does not assess lithium orotate for sleep, anxiety, memory, brain fog or alcohol-use treatment.
Effects by health goal
Open an effect to see the studies behind its rating. Bars show the size of the effect; the letter grades the evidence.
Cognition5 effects
No study is linked to this rating.
No study is linked to this rating.
No study is linked to this rating.
Stress & Mood3 effects
Sleep1 effect
No study is linked to this rating.
Sources
- Lithium orotate: A superior option for lithium therapy? Brain and Behavior, 2021
- A toxicological evaluation of lithium orotate Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 2021