Treatment for Bipolar Disorder now available in Nova Scotia Formulary

The Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness has approved the listing of LITHMAX (Lithium Carbonate Sustained-Release 300mg Tablets) in the Nova Scotia Formulary, effective April 19th, 2011. This announcement comes as welcome news to patients in need of the sustained-release formulation of Lithium Carbonate who require help to pay for prescribed medications. LITHMAX is indicated for the treatment of manic episodes of Bipolar Disorder, as well as the maintenance treatment for individuals with a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder. This extended-release formulation, only available from AA Pharma Inc., has been available in drugstores across Canada since January 2011, and scheduled to be on all provincial formulary lists by the end of 2011, making LITHMAX a cost effective treatment option for Bipolar 1 and 2.

The extended-release formulation comes as exciting news to both patients and physicians of the Canadian mental health community because of the long absence of this formulation in the market. This formulation enables patients taking lithium to obtain peak plasma levels at about 50% lower than immediate release and subsequently experience far less side effects. In addition to this, there are far better continuous blood levels, making LITHMAX the drug of choice for Bipolar 1 and 2. "We have worked very hard to make this formulation available in Canada", explains Norman Paul, President of AA Pharma Inc. The clinical consequence of the unavailability of Lithium Carbonate SR 300mg in Canada has meant that up until now many patients have had difficulty in maintaining good health.