Affective Disorders Flashcards
1
Q
Therapeutic range of lithium, and point at which it becomes toxic?
A
about 0.6-1mmol/l
toxic >1.2
2
Q
What do check before starting lithium
A
- BMI
- U&Es
- eGFR
- TFTs
- FBC
- ECG (if CVD RFs)
3
Q
When to check lithium levels
A
12h post-dose
- weekly until dose stable for 4 weeks
- then monthly for 6 months
- then 3-monthly if stable
- more often if elderly, on diuretic/NSAID/ACEi, low-salt diet or pregnant
4
Q
Monitoring on lithium
A
6 monthly U&Es and TSH
5
Q
SEs of lithium
A
- hypothyroidism
- mild tremor
- GI disturbance
- nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (polyuria, thirst)
- nephrotoxocity
6
Q
Sx/signs of lithium toxicity
A
- nausea, D&V
- anorexia
- coarse tremor
- ataxia
- confusion
- double vision
- hypokalaemia
- dysarthria
- coma
