Synopsis mood stabilizers Flashcards
how long to peak serum concentration for lithium
1-1.5 hours for standard
4-4.5 hours for ER
elimination half-life of lithium
18-24 hours
how if lithium metabolized and excreted
it is not metabolized. It is excreted through kidneys
therapeutic indications for lithium
-mania
-bipolar depression
-bipolar maintenance
-MDD
-schizoaffective disorder
0schizophrenia
Lithium onset when treating mania
typically slow. Exerts effect over 1-3 weeks
how do you treat the manic patient in the short term who has been initiated on lithium therapy
give benzodiazepine, DRA, SDA, or valproic acid as well for first few weeks
what should you connsider if a depressive episode occurs in a patient taking lithium
lithium-induced hypothyroidism
substance abuse
noncompliance
use of lithium in schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia
-prominent mood sx more likely to respond than prominent psychotic symptoms
-useful for augmenting antipsychotics
Lithium in MDD
no more effective than other antidepressants for monotherapy. Usually used as adjunct in nonresponders
what is sodium’s effect on lithium levels
excessive intake lowers levels
hyponatremia causes toxicity
dehydration can cause intoxication
cardiac side effects of lithium
bradycardia and arrythmias
how can you decrease GI upset of lithium
take with food
does lithium cause weight gain? Why or why not?
yes d/t effects on carbohydrate metabolism
OR
d/t lithium-induced:
hypothyroidism
edema
thirst causing increased intake of soda
neuro side effects of lithium
tremor
cognitive effects
what can reduce lithium-induced tremor
propranolol 30-120mg daily (divided)
primidone 50-250mg daily
renal side effects of lithium
polyuria (if severe eval renal function)
polydipsia
thyroid side effects of lithium
goiter, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism
Monitor TSH q6 months
what places someone at a higher risk of cardiac side effects from lithium
low salt diet
diuretics/ACEIs
fluid/electrolyte imbalance
renal insufficiency
what are some dermatologic side effects of lithium
worsening of psoriasis
alopecia
early signs of lithium OD/toxicity
tremor
dysarthria
ataxia
GI sx
cardio changes
renal dysfunction
what are later signs of lithium OD/toxicity
loss of consciousness
muscular fasciculations
myoclonus
seizures
coma
how can lithium be removed from the body
kayexalate and miralax but not activated charcoal (GI tract)
hemodialysis
lithium and pregnancy
contraindicated during first trimester d/t risk of birth defects
most common birth defect associated with lithium
Ebstein anomaly
what are some drugs that increase lithium concentrations
carbamazepine, lamotrigine, valproate, clonazepam, thiazide/K-sparing diuretics, ACEIs, NSAIDs
what are some drugs that decrease concentration of lithium
osmotic/loop diuretics, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, xanthines
can you combine calcium channel blockers with Lithium? Why?
No because of risk of fatal neurotoxicity
how many days prior to ECT must lithium be discontinued
2 days to decrease risk of delirium
starting dose of lithium
300mg TID
labs prior to starting lithium
creatinine, electrolytes, thyroid function tests, CBC, ECG, pregnancy test
how often should lithium levels be checked
every 2-6 months
weekly if dose adjustment. s/s toxicity, suspected noncompliance
how often should ECG be obtained with lithium
annually