[Acute lithium intoxications, review of the literature and cases study]

Therapie. 2009 Jan-Feb;64(1):55-63. doi: 10.2515/therapie/2009010. Epub 2009 May 26.
[Article in French]

Abstract

The efficacy of lithium in the prevention of bipolar disorders is now well established. However, acute lithium intoxications still occur, often after suicide attempts. Symptoms are often different from one patient to the other, and long lasting neurologic sequelae may happen. Active treatments are available, notably haemodialysis, which increase lithium clearance dramatically. We report cases quoted in the department of intensive care of Tours University Hospital over the last three years and compared them with the literature. Lithium level and treatment of these intoxications were analysed. Although new medicines are available for the treatment of bipolar disorders, lithium is still an important drug in this disease, therefore, the prescribers have to be aware of the consequences of acute lithium intoxications.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lithium Compounds / pharmacokinetics
  • Lithium Compounds / poisoning*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Poisoning / therapy

Substances

  • Lithium Compounds