Answer :
In bipolar disorder treatment, physicians carefully monitor lithium dosage because (d) the therapeutic dosage is just below the toxic level.
Physicians monitor lithium dosage closely in bipolar disorder treatment due to its narrow therapeutic window. Effective blood levels are just below toxic levels, necessitating regular blood tests to prevent severe side effects.
Lithium is effective as a mood stabilizer, but it has a very narrow therapeutic window. Blood levels of lithium need to be maintained between 0.6 and 1.5 mEq/L to be effective and safe.
Levels lower than this range produce no effect, whereas levels higher can cause severe toxicity, including delirium, seizures, and potentially fatal side effects. Patients on lithium therapy require regular blood tests to ensure the drug remains within this narrow range.
