Pharmacology Flashcards
what are the 3 main Mood stabiliser drugs for Bipolar disorder?
- Lithium
- Valproate
- Carbamezapine
What is the therapeutic range of lithium?
0.6-1.0 mmol/L
At what level does lithium become toxic?
1.2mmol/L
What should you be thinking about in the long term when prescribing lithium for a patient with BPAD?
Lithium toxicity- levels must be checked a week after starting/changing dose, monitored weekly until steady levels achieved, and then 3 monthly.
U&Es and TFTs should also be checked every 3 months because lithium can cause renal impairment and hypothyroidism
what should you remember to advise women of child bearing age when hinking about prescribing mood stabilisers for BPAD
mood stabilisers are teratogenic so advise women to be on contraceptive pill
What are the main side effects of lithium?
- mild tremor
- Nausea and vomiting
- polyuria, polydipsia
- arrythmias
- hypothyroidism
- weight gain