Lithium toxicity

Lithium toxicity, also known as lithium overdose, is the condition of having too much <a href="/facts/Lithium/7vXX6BWA">lithium</a>. Symptoms may include a tremor, increased reflexes, trouble walking, kidney problems, and an <a href="/facts/Altered_level_of_consciousness/bzGqcsUV">altered level of consciousness</a>. Some symptoms may last for a year after levels return to normal. Complications may include <a href="/facts/Serotonin_syndrome/PqLvx901">serotonin syndrome</a>.
Lithium toxicity can occur due to excessive intake or decreased excretion. Excessive intake may be either a <a href="/facts/Suicide_attempt/IR36s6vF">suicide attempt</a> or accidental. Decreased excretion may occur as a result of <a href="/facts/Dehydration/2RXJ8GGI">dehydration</a> such as from <a href="/facts/Vomiting/R2vQkHqV">vomiting</a> or <a href="/facts/Diarrhea/6TBHaRdA">diarrhea</a>, a <a href="/facts/Low_sodium_diet/1fIk4rSv">low sodium diet</a>, or from <a href="/facts/Kidney_problems/gsqb5nos">kidney problems</a>. The diagnosis is generally based on symptoms and supported by a lithium level in blood serum of greater than 1.2 mEq/L.
<a href="/facts/Gastric_lavage/8D63n9Uy">Gastric lavage</a> and <a href="/facts/Whole_bowel_irrigation/DPc6LTwP">whole bowel irrigation</a> may be useful if done early. <a href="/facts/Activated_charcoal_(medication)/ajTAKBqE">Activated charcoal</a> is not effective. For severe toxicity <a href="/facts/Hemodialysis/oB7fIKP7">hemodialysis</a> is recommended. The risk of death is generally low. Acute toxicity generally has better outcomes than chronic toxicity. In the United States about 5,000 cases are reported to <a href="/facts/Poison_control_center/pVjlgFbv">poison control centers</a> a year. Lithium toxicity was first described in 1898.

Lithium toxicity open-in-new

Lithium toxicity