Two medicines, side by side
Lithium vs losartan
Lithium is labeled for bipolar disorder; losartan for high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease and stroke prevention. Their labels share no use, so they are not alternatives to each other. Drugs@FDA records approvals of lithium since 1970 and of losartan since 1995. Pharmacies paid $0.104 per lithium carbonate 300 mg capsule and $0.0327 per losartan potassium 50 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, lithium is a mood stabilizer and losartan an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker.
Check it at the source: the lithium FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 23, 2025); the losartan FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 20, 2026).
Highlights of the lithium record
Lithium (Lithobid) · label of December 23, 2025
LITHIUM TOXICITY Lithium toxicity is closely related to serum lithium concentrations, and can occur at doses close to therapeutic concentrations. Facilities for prompt and accurate serum lithium determinations should be available before initiating treatment [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.3 ), Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. WARNING: LITHIUM TOXICITY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning.
Used for
From the label: indicationsLithium is a mood-stabilizing agent indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of bipolar I disorder: • Treatment of acute manic and mixed episodes in patients 7 years and older [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )] • Maintenance treatment in patients 7 years and older [see Clinical Studies (14)] Lithium is a mood-stabilizing agent indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of bipolar I disorder: • Treatment of acute manic and mixed episodes in patients 7 years and older ( 1 ) • Maintenance treatment in patients 7 years and older […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 6, 1970
- Generic labelers
- 24 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.104 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 4
Highlights of the losartan record
Losartan (Cozaar) · label of January 20, 2026
FETAL TOXICITY When pregnancy is detected, discontinue COZAAR as soon as possible. Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. WARNING: FETAL TOXICITY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. When pregnancy is detected, discontinue COZAAR as soon as possible. Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus.
Used for
From the label: indicationsCOZAAR is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) indicated for: Treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure in adults and children greater than 6 years old. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions. ( 1.1 ) Reduction of the risk of stroke in patients with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 14, 1995
- Generic labelers
- 43 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0327 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 77
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Lithium label of December 23, 2025, Losartan label of January 20, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do lithium and losartan differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, lithium is a mood stabilizer and losartan an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker.
How each works, in its label's words: Lithium, “The mechanism of action of lithium as a mood stabilizing agent is unknown.”; Losartan, “Angiotensin II [formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II)] is a potent vasoconstrictor, the primary vasoactive hormone of the …”
Half-life, in each label's words: Lithium, “The elimination half-life of lithium is approximately 18 to 36 hours.”; Losartan, “The terminal half-life of losartan is about 2 hours and of the metabolite is about 6-9 hours.”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: lithium since 1986; losartan since 2010 (Drugs@FDA).
| Lithium | Losartan | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bipolar disorder | High blood pressure, Chronic kidney disease, Stroke prevention |
| Pharmacologic class | Mood Stabilizer | Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blocker |
| How it works (label) | The mechanism of action of lithium as a mood stabilizing agent is unknown. | Angiotensin II [formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II)] is a potent vasoconstrictor, the primary vasoactive hormone of the renin-angiotensin system, and an important component … |
| Half-life (label) | The elimination half-life of lithium is approximately 18 to 36 hours. | The terminal half-life of losartan is about 2 hours and of the metabolite is about 6-9 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | April 6, 1970 | April 14, 1995 |
| First generic approved | May 21, 1986 | April 6, 2010 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 24 labelers | 43 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.104 per capsule (Lithium carbonate 300 mg capsule) | $0.0327 per tablet (Losartan potassium 50 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -6% | +2% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 4 | 77 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 41,678 | 200,566 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
Do their labels mention each other?
Losartan label, drug interactionsRisk of lithium toxicity. ( 7.2 ) NSAIDs: Increased risk of renal impairment and reduced diuretic, natriuretic, and antihypertensive effects. ( 7.3 ) Dual Inhibition of the Renin-Angiotensin System:
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Lithium label, warnings and precautionsIf concomitant use of lithium with other serotonergic drugs is clinically warranted, inform patients of the increased risk for serotonin syndrome and monitor for symptoms.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to lithium
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions