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