Bipolar Flashcards
Bipolar I
One or more manic or mixed episodes
Most also have some depression
Bipolar II
One or more depressive episodes + at least one hypomanic episode
Often misdiagnosed as MDD
Cyclothymic disorder
Several periods of hypomania and mild depression but do not meet criteria for mania, major depressive
Rapid cycling
At least 4 episodes of mania, hypomania, or depression in 1 year with 2 months between episodes
Bipolar I treatment of choice
Lithium
Lithium onset
Antimania: 1-2 weeks. May need adjunctive benzo or antipsychotic to control symptoms
Antidepressant effect: 6-8 weeks
Lithium monitoring labs
Baseline: CBC, electrolytes, renal function, thyroid function, UA, ECG, pregnancy test
every 6-12 months: Renal function, thyroid function, UA
Order serum concentration 12 hours after last dose, 5-6 days after initiation
Lithium serum concentration for acute mania
0.8-1.2
Lithium serum concentration for maintenance
0.6-1.0
Lithium toxicity
Lethargy
Coarse tremor
Confusion
Seizures
Coma
Death
Treatment of choice if severe: hemodialysis
Intervention if rash, psoriasis from lithium
D/C drug (temporary or permanent)
Intervention of tremor from lithium
Decrease dose
Add BB
Intervention if CNS toxicity from lithium
Reduce dose
Intervention if GI upset from lithium
Reduce dose
Try ER
Split doses
Intervention if hypothyroid from lithium
Levothyroxine
D/C lithium if necessary
Intervention if polydipsia or polyuria from lithium
Reduce dose
Manage fluid intake
Change to single bedtime dose