Side effects...ha. I was prescribed Lamictal for bipolar. In about 10% of patients, it causes your skin to blister, peel, and--if you don't stop taking it soon enouogh--it causes your skin to slough off your entire body. A very nasty, painful way to go.

Sure enough, I got a rash on both my lower legs....fortunately I stopped in time.

Why would they ever prescribe such a drug? Would it have anything to do with the fact that it can be patented, and companies hire cheerleaders in the off-season to chat-up doctors?

Lithium is cheap and effective. Yes, you have to periodically take a blood test to see if your kidneys are not being hurt. Yes, you have to get the dose right.

No, it doesn't cure your disease--bipolar is absolutely incurable. It helps you "manage" your disease, which means that instead of ruining your life, it will "Merely" be an incredible inconvenience.

But it saves lives. Even in areas where there is naturally more lithium in the drinking water, there are fewer suicides.