Towards a Safe and Effective Lithium Therapeutic Range for Older Adults With Bipolar Disorder: An ISBD Task Force Systematic Review

Abstract

Objectives: Lithium is recommended as the first-line maintenance treatment for older adults with bipolar disorder (OABD). However, age-related reduction in renal clearance, heightened sensitivity to adverse effects, and drug interactions increase the risk of toxicity and necessitate lower therapeutic serum levels in this population. Despite expert consensus supporting age-adjusted targets, most clinical laboratories still do not report age-specific therapeutic ranges. We conducted a systematic review on recommended serum lithium levels in OABD to update evidence supporting age-specific therapeutic ranges for safe and effective lithium management.

Methods: We searched Medline, PsycINFO, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials since 2017 for studies analyzing lithium serum levels in individuals with bipolar disorder ≥ 60 years. Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts, and full texts. We used the National Institutes of Health Quality Assessment Tool to assess methodological quality.

Results: Fourteen studies, including 8808 older adults using lithium, met inclusion criteria. All studies were observational with cross-sectional or cohort designs. Mean or median lithium levels ranged from 0.47-0.67 mmol/L. Levels of 0.82-1.00 mmol/L were associated with increased side effects or early toxicity signs, while levels of 1.20-1.25 mmol/L were overtly toxic. Impaired renal function and concomitant use of diuretics, ACE inhibitors, and NSAIDs required closer monitoring for toxicity.

Conclusions: These findings are consistent with age-adjusted lithium therapeutic targets in older adults and provide additional observational support for clinical laboratories to adopt age-specific therapeutic ranges. Clinicians should consider individualized monitoring accounting for age-related physiological changes and medication interactions to ensure safer and effective lithium therapy.

Keywords: aged; bipolar disorders; depression; drug interactions; drug monitoring; drug‐related side effects and adverse reactions; geriatric psychiatry; lithium; older adults; systematic review.