Strange taste and mild lithium intoxication

BMJ Case Rep. 2011 Jul 20;2011:bcr0520114267. doi: 10.1136/bcr.05.2011.4267.

Abstract

So far, it has not been emphasised that lithium can lose or change taste in some patients. This report addresses such side effect of lithium. A 61-year-old bipolar patient experienced taste changes while increasing lithium levels up to 1.28 mEq/l and the taste changes returned to normal after lithium discontinuation. The present findings suggest that changes in tastes may be a symptom of mild lithium intoxication.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antimanic Agents / poisoning*
  • Bipolar Disorder / drug therapy
  • Dysgeusia / chemically induced*
  • Humans
  • Lithium Compounds / poisoning*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Severity of Illness Index

Substances

  • Antimanic Agents
  • Lithium Compounds