[braindeath]

> big pharma pushes hard for newer and more costly meds.

Lithium is not perfect. It causes permanent kidney damage and is a pretty bad teratogen. Also overdose is pretty bad, which is never ideal for a mood medication.

There is actual value in investigating new medications for bipolar beyond big pharma profits.

[vonseel]

I was under the impression Lithium side effects or dangers can be mitigated by monitoring blood levels properly.