Lithium

For an informed discussion with your doctor or pharmacist. This information collection is not a clinically validated interaction checker. Missing data do not establish safety. Do not change or stop prescribed medicines on the basis of this information. The findings apply to the specific conditions studied; laboratory and animal studies cannot be directly extrapolated to humans.

Active substance: Lithium

Examples of brand names: Quilonum [DE]

ATC code: N05AN01

Main use (for orientation): Bipolar disorder

Documented research summary

A published case of CBD-associated lithium toxicity exists. Reduced renal function and reduced fluid/food intake are possible mediators; a CYP interaction is not a plausible explanation for lithium. No controlled quantitative CBD–lithium pharmacokinetic study found. The original case describes lithium discontinuation while CBD continued, with concurrent fluids; therefore no CBD dechallenge or established causal attribution.

Uncertainties and limitations

A single case does not allow a frequency estimate. The older title Lithium and marijuana, without an accessible abstract, remains unresolved in content; rare cannabinoids insufficiently investigated.

Separately recorded findings

1 separately recorded finding. Each statement applies to its documented study context.

CBD – clinical signals

Finding ID: B0087

Type of result: Positive finding / indication

Observation: Lithium toxicity after CBD initiation/titration. Lithium concentrations fell after lithium discontinuation and intravenous fluids; clinical baseline restored after three days. CBD continued.

Mechanism: Renal/volume factors suspected; not a CYP mechanism

Study type: Case report

Context studied: n=1, 13-year-old boy with Lennox–Gastaut syndrome and polypharmacy; previously stable lithium for over a year. Epidiolex initially 5 mg/kg/day divided into two doses, then 10 mg/kg/day; somnolence, ataxia and reduced oral intake after titration. Lithium at admission 2.4 mmol/L versus previously 1–1.3 mmol/L. Study/case doses, not dosage instructions.

Clinical interpretation: Potentially high

Limitations and uncertainties: Single case with comorbidity, polypharmacy and reduced fluid/food intake; renal contribution only suspected. Creatinine increase from 0.60 to 0.75 mg/dL remained within the laboratory reference range. Lithium discontinued while CBD continued; concurrent fluids and other supportive measures. No CBD dechallenge/rechallenge or established CBD causality.

Original sources for this finding: Drug-Drug Interactions Between Cannabidiol and Lithium [CL26]

References and access status

[CA_L_D0117] LITHOBID (LITHIUM CARBONATE) TABLET, FILM COATED, EXTENDED RELEASE [ANI PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.]

Original source / bibliographic reference

Authors: ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Year: 2026

Source type: Current published human-use SPL / product information

Source access – 23 October 2026: Source destination was accessible when checked.

Bibliographic attribution or source identity cross-checked.

[CL26] Drug-Drug Interactions Between Cannabidiol and Lithium

Original source / bibliographic reference

Authors: Singh RK; Dillon B; Tatum DA; Van Poppel KC; Bonthius DJ

Year: 2020

Source type: Case report

DOI: 10.1177/2329048X20947896

PMID: 32851114

Source access – 23 October 2026: Automated direct retrieval was restricted; this does not establish that the link is broken.

Bibliographic attribution or source identity cross-checked.

PubMed – bibliographic reference / abstract

DOI – publisher access (access restrictions may apply)

Europe PMC – full-text access according to the literature database – Listed as freely available HTML full text in the official Europe PMC metadata. Direct retrieval was not fully verified here.

Research as of 23 October 2026. Not all original full texts could be reviewed in full. Source accessibility and the strength of scientific evidence must be assessed separately. An accessible link does not establish medical approval; a bibliographic record with an abstract does not replace the original full text.

Drug search and explanation of the evidence · Guide: cannabinoids and medicines · Author and responsibility