Lithium orotate: distinct compound or simply Li⁺ after administration?

The authors investigate whether lithium orotate (LiO) is a distinct compound with unique benefits compared to lithium carbonate (LiC) or if it simply dissociates into Li⁺ upon administration. They argue that current evidence does not support the stability of LiO in physiological fluids and that both LiO and LiC exhibit similar pharmacokinetics, raising concerns about the potential safety implications of favoring one lithium salt over the other. The authors call for further research to clarify the effects of very low doses of lithium and the stability of LiO in clinical contexts.