Lithinase is useful in providing a safely-metabolized form of lithium to the manic depressive individual. Symptoms include the characteristic mood swings alternate and recurring periods of depression and/or elation. These mood swings are precipitated by internal rather than external events. A glucose tolerance physiology test may be appropriate.

NOTE: Lithium can replace sodium in extracellular fluid and at membrane sites. Therefore, patients on a salt-free diet should not be given lithium. If lithium treatment is indicated, salt and fluid intake must be maintained to avoid sodium depletion and diuretics should not be given.