Lithium

Administration

• Type:
• Dosage Forms:
• Routes of Administration: oral
• Common Trade Names:

Adult Dosing

• Maintenance: 300mg PO 3 to 4 times daily; desired serum lithium level 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L
• Acute manic episode: 600mg PO 3 times daily; desired serum lithium level 1 to 1.5 mEq/L

Pediatric Dosing

Safety/efficacy not established in children <12yo

Special Populations

• Pregnancy Rating: D
• Lactation risk: infant risk cannot be ruled out

Renal Dosing

• Adult:
• Pediatric:

Hepatic Dosing

• Adult:
• Pediatric:

Contraindications

• Allergy to class/drug
• Dehydration, cardiovascular disease, sodium depletion, concurrent diuretics, renal disease: needs inpatient monitoring if treatment required

Adverse Reactions

Serious

• Toxicity (see Lithium toxicity
• Seizure, ataxia, raised ICP
• Angioedema
• Erythema multiforme

Common

• Hypothroidism, weight gain
• Nephrotoxicity
• Fine tremor, hyperreflexia
• Leukocytosis
• Nausea, gastritis
• Acne

Pharmacology

• Half-life: 14-50hr
• Metabolism: Renal
• Excretion: Renal

See Also

• Lithium toxicity

References

Authors

Claire, Ross Donaldson, Neil Young