Potent and commonly used drug for bipolar disorder
Readily uptaken, excreted 95% via kidney and handled like Na
- Reduction of GFR will reduce excretion
- Situations causing Na reabsorption (hypovilaemia) will increase Li reabsorption
Chronic or acute overdose
Levels
0,6-0.9mmol/l therapeutic
>1.5mmol/l may produce effects
>3mmol/l significant intoxication
Acute Intoxication
GI
Early symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
CVS:
Arrhythmia, bradycardia, long QT
Renal
Nephrogenic DI
Chronic Intox
CNS
Later: Ataxia, blurred vision, tremor
Management
- Fluid restoring
- Gastric lavage, whole bowel irrigation
- No role for charcoal
- No diuretics (causing dehydration and lithium retention)
- Dialysis