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Neurotoxic Effects of Lithium with Delayed Rise in Serum Lithium Levels

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

J. Sellers ,
P. Tyrer ,
A. Whiteley ,
D. C. Banks  and
D. H. Barer
J. Sellers
Affiliation:
Mapperley Hospital
P. Tyrer
Affiliation:
Mapperley Hospital, Nottingham NG3 6AA
A. Whiteley
Affiliation:
City Hospital, Nottingham
D. C. Banks
Affiliation:
City Hospital, Nottingham
D. H. Barer
Affiliation:
City Hospital, Nottingham
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Extract

Neurotoxicity is a rare but well recognized unwanted effect of lithium therapy (Moore, 1972; von Hartitzsch et al, 1972; Tyrer and Shopsin, 1980) which tends to be associated with high serum lithium levels. In clinical practice it is normally assumed that once signs of toxicity are detected and treatment stopped, serum levels will return to normal. We report here a patient who developed toxic symptoms while her serum levels were in the therapeutic range but who developed severe neurotoxic sequelae and high serum levels after treatment was stopped.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 140 , Issue 6 , June 1982 , pp. 623 - 625
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1982 

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