lithium Flashcards
contraindications
Addison’s disease
Cardiac disease associated with rhythm disorder
Cardiac insufficiency
Dehydration
FHx/ personal Hx Brugada syndrome
Untreated hypothyroidism
Low sodium diet
does lithium affect pt with epilepsy
yes can lower seizure threshold
Long term use of lithium is associated with …
Thyroid disorders and mild cognitive and memory impairment
Only undertake long term use with careful assessment of risk and benefit, and with monitoring of thyroid function every six months or more often if evidence of deterioration
How often to measure thyroid function
6 monthly
more often if evidence of deterioration
The need for continued therapy should be assessed regularly and patients should be maintained on lithium after …. many years only if benefit persists
3-5 yrs
How many hours after first dose should you take samples to achieve serum lithium concentration of 0.4-1mmol/L
12 hours
What is the target serum lithium concentration (+ for maintenance + elderly)
0.4-1mmol/L
Lower end of range for maintenance therapy and elderly
What is the target serum lithium conc for acute episodes of mania, pt previously relapsed or subsyndromal symptoms
0.8-1mmol/L
How often to do serum lithium monitoring
weekly after initiation and after each dose change until concentration stable
Then every three months for the first year
Then every six months thereafter
interactions (nephrotoxic drugs)
Diuretics: increase conc of lithium, avoid or adjuse dose and monitor concentration
NSAIDs: increase conc of lithiym, monitor and adjust dose
ACEI/ARBs: increase conc lithium, momitor and adjust dose
NSAIDs also can increase risk nephrotoxicty
Tetraycclines predicted to increase risk lithium toxicity, avoid or asjust dose
Signs of overdose - what to do
Signs of intoxication require withdrawal of treatment
Signs: increasing GI disturbances such as vomiting and diarrhoea, visual disturbances, polyuria, muscle weakness, fine tremor increasing to coarse trauma, CNS disturbances (like confusion and drowsiness increasing to lack of coordination, restlessness, stupor), abnormal reflexes, myoclonus, incontinence, HYPERnatraemia
In severe overdosage seizures, cardiac arrhythmias (including SA block, bradycardia and 1st degree heart block), BP changes, circulatory failure, renal failure, coma, sudden death
Use in pregnancy and BF
Effective contraception during treatment for women of childbearing potential
Avoid in pregnancy if possible especially first trimester due to risk of teratogenicit including cardiac abnormalities
Dose requirements are increased during second and third trimesters but on delivery return abruptly to normal dose
Closely monitored several lithium concentration in pregnancy due to risk of toxicity in neonate
Avoid in breastfeeding due to risk of toxicity in infant
Dose requirements of lithium are increased in which trimesters
2 and 3
on delivery return abruptly to normal dose
monitor the following patients every 3 months (instead of every 6 months after being on It for a year)
65 and older
Taking drugs that interact with lithium
At risk of impaired renal or thyroid function
Raise calcium levels or other complications
Poor symptom control or poor adherence
Last serum lithium concentration was 0.8mmol/L or higher
Additional serum lithium measurements should be made if a patient develops ……. or if there is significant change in ……
significant intercurrent disease or if there is significant change in a patient sodium or fluid intake
monitoring pt parameters
Before: Assess renal, cardiac, thyroid function, BW/BMI, electrolytes, FBC
ECG recommended in patients with CVD or risk factors for it
6 monthly: BW/BMI, electrolytes, EGFR, thyroid function; more often if evidence of impaired renal or thyroid function, or raise calcium levels
Also monitor cardiac function regularly
T or F - abrupt discontinuation increases risk of relapse
true
T of F - stopping lithium causes withdrawal or rebound psychosis
no clear evidence
If lithium is to be discontinued, dose should be gradually reduced over period of
at least four weeks, preferably over a period of up to three months
If lithium is stopped or is to be discontinued abruptly, consider changing therapy to
atypical antipsychotic or valproate
