Therapeutic blood levels of the med is monitored with monthly blood tests, which also includeds kidney function, and thyroid levels.
After a few onths and proper levels of lithium have been established then the tests are done once every 3 months and then once in 6 months. Your pdoc will go over the test results.
Depakote pdocs use due to the fast acting ability of it, but personally I think it is much too "heavy duty" for a mild bipolar or unipolar, Lithium though it takes a little longer to notice a difference, it is nice and subtle, doesn't fog your head or make you fatigued the way Depakote does, you can actually function.
I liked Lithium over Depakote, depakote made me so drowsy I had 3 close calls while driving, fell asleep at the wheel, Lithium was fine, I could carry on with my daily life, also note when patients are on Depakote, they too need periodic blood levels drawn, and liver function is revealed through the tests too. Let's face it any drug imaginable has caveats, we just need to determine which one is best for us, and also give them time to work.

DE

In giving advice seek to help, not please your friend
SOLON