Lithium

Question 1

Complications of lithium

Answer 1

Toxicity (narrow range)
Nephro + hepatotoxicity
Hypothyroidism

TOXIC - to you, liver, kidneys, thyroid

Question 2

Lithium - tests

Answer 2

Baseline - bloods, ECG, BMI
Levels - weekly till stable > 3mo for 1 year > 3-6mo
6 monthly - bloods, ECG, BMI

Bloods - FBC, U+E, eGFR, LFT, TFT, bone profile

Question 3

Lithium - SEs

Answer 3

Fine tremor
Metallic taste
Thirst + polyuria
GI

feel my tight girdle

Question 4

Lithium - signs of toxicity

Answer 4

D+V
Sped up - coarse tremor + twitches
Slowed down - slurred speech, incoordination, drowsiness

Question 5

Lithium - when + how to take

Answer 5

Usually tablet/syrup 1-2x a day

Lifelong - regular reviews by psychiatrist

Question 6

Lithium - how long till effects?

Answer 6

1-2 weeks

Question 7

Lithium - contraindications

Answer 7

Cardiac + renal disease
1st trim pregnancy + breastfeeding

NSAIDs
ACEis
diuretics

Question 8

lithium - supplementary info

Answer 8

bipolaruk.org.uk

avoid any low salt diets