History of Lithium orotate in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: August 7, 2025

Lithium orotate is a salt combining lithium and orotic acid, available as a monohydrate. Unlike other lithium salts, lithium is non-covalently bound to an orotate ion. Marketed as a dietary supplement, its potential therapeutic uses, including treatment for alcoholism and Alzheimer's disease, were explored in research conducted between 1973 and 1986. It dissolves in solution to produce free lithium ions.

1973: Initial research period of lithium orotate

From 1973, lithium orotate was researched minimally to treat certain medical conditions, such as alcoholism and Alzheimer's disease.

1973: Hans Nieper's report on lithium content

In 1973, Hans Nieper reported that lithium orotate contained 3.83 mg of elemental lithium per 100 mg, while lithium carbonate contained 18.8 mg of elemental lithium per 100 mg.

1976: Study on lithium concentrations in rat brains

In 1976, a study documented that lithium concentrations within the brains of rats were not statistically different between equivalent dosages of lithium from lithium orotate, lithium carbonate, or lithium chloride.

1978: Purported ability of lithium orotate to achieve higher concentrations

In 1978, a claim was first made regarding the purported ability of lithium orotate to achieve higher serum and brain lithium-ion (Li+) concentrations than those observed from equivalent doses of lithium carbonate.

1978: Study shows greater brain lithium concentrations with lithium orotate

In 1978, a study showed that eight hours after intraperitoneal injections, brain lithium concentrations of rats were significantly greater after lithium orotate than after lithium carbonate. Also, 24 hours after injection of lithium carbonate, little serum lithium remained, while two-thirds of the 2-hour serum lithium concentration was present 24 hours after lithium orotate. The 24-hour brain concentration of lithium after lithium orotate was approximately three times greater than that after lithium carbonate.

1979: Concerns raised regarding renal toxicity

In 1979, concerns were raised regarding the potential amplified renal toxicity of lithium orotate in comparison to lithium carbonate, likely based on the results of the use of excessively high concentrations of lithium orotate in the studies. These concerns led to the halt of clinical application and research of lithium orotate for decades since the 1980s.

1986: End of initial research period

Until 1986, lithium orotate was researched minimally to treat certain medical conditions, such as alcoholism and Alzheimer's disease.

2022: Pacholko's experiment on kidney profile and TSH levels

In 2022, Pacholko redid the experiment and showed lithium orotate to have a safer kidney profile than lithium carbonate. It also showed that both had an increased TSH only in females, but the increase was lower in the orotate group.