Mood Stabilizers Flashcards
Brand name for lithium?
Lithobid
Generic: Lithium Carboante and Lithium Citrate
It is thought that Bipolar disorder is due to [over or under?] activation of the excitatory neuronal system in mania and over activation of the inhibitory neural system in ________. Lithium seems to dampen these neural systems
over activation; depression
It is thought that Bipolar disorder is due to over activation of the excitatory neuronal system in mania and over activation of the inhibitory neural system in depression. Lithium seems to dampen these neural systems
Lithium dosage varies, depending on the pt’s _____, ______, & _______?
Size; age; kidney function
Dosages may vary from 900mg to 1800mg/day in 3 or 4 divided doses depending on the patient’s size, age, and kidney function
Lithium: Start at 300mg PO BID or TID and increasing by 300mg/day every __ to __ days until manic symptoms abate and blood levels are between ____ and ______ mEq/L
3 to 5 days; 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L
Lithium: Start at 300mg PO BID or TID and increasing by 300mg/day every 3-5 days (i.e., every few days) until manic symptoms abate and blood levels are between 0.6 and 1.2 mEq/L (i.e., the therapeutic window)
Lithium dosages may vary from _____ mg to _____ mg/day in ____ or ______ divided doses depending on the patient’s size, age, and kidney function
900mg to 1800mg/day in 3 or 4 divided doses
Lithium dosages may vary from 900mg to 1800mg/day in 3 or 4 divided doses depending on the patient’s size, age, and kidney function
Therapeutic window for lithium?
0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L
Toxic side effects can occur when lithium level exceeds _____ mEq/L
1.5 mEq/L
toxic side effects can occur when the lithium level exceeds 1.5 mEq/L
Regarding lithium side effects- what is one way to avoid upset stomach?
take meds with food
lithium- avoiding upset stomach
Tinnitus is a [early/higher/very] toxicity level for lithium?
higher
Tinnitus is a higher toxicity level for lithium
Ataxia is a [early/higher/very] toxicity level for lithium?
higher
ataxia is a higher toxicity level for lithium
ataxia - the loss of full control of bodily movements
drowsiness, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, muscle weakness, and impaired coordination are [early/higher/very] toxicity level for lithium?
early
Early symptoms of lithium toxicity: drowsiness, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, muscle weakness, and impaired coordination
danger of death resulting from seizures, acute renal failure, cardiac arrhythmias, low blood pressure, cardiovascular collapse, and delirium are [early/higher/very] toxicity level for lithium?
very toxic
Very toxic levels: there is danger of death resulting from seizures, acute renal failure, cardiac arrhythmias, low blood pressure, cardiovascular collapse, and delirium
Lithium is excreted through ____?
kidneys
Lithium is excreted through KIDNEYS
If someone is dehydrated, on a low salt diet or on some “water pills” the kidneys will ________ lithium more intensely and this will result in [higher or lower] lithium levels
reabsorb; higher
If someone is dehydrated, on a low salt diet or on some “water pills” the kidneys will REABSORB lithium more intensely and this will result in HIGHER lithium levels
Long term use of lithium may affect thyroid glands and cause [hypo or hyper] thyroidism?
hypO
Long term use of lithium may affect thyroid glands and cause hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid; doesn’t produce enough crucial hormones)
Use of lithium in 1st trimester has been associated with the _________ anomaly
Ebstein
Lithium Use in the first trimester of pregnancy is associated with birth defects, mostly cardiovascular
EBSTEIN ANOMALY- a rare heart defect in which the tricuspid valve — the valve between the upper right chamber (right atrium) and the lower right chamber (right ventricle) of the heart — isn’t formed properly
Monitor for neurotoxicity and movement disorders (EPS) with ________ (esp ______ ) when used in conjunction with Lithium
antipsychotics; Haldol
Monitor for neurotoxicity and movement disorders (EPS) with antipsychotics (esp Haldol) when used in conjunction with lithium
antipsychotics + lithium = no good! need to monitor!
only these 2 anticonvulsants have been consistently been effective for BD:
only Valproate and Carbamazepine have proven to be consistent reg efficacy in treating BD