Administration of lithium to rats by different routes.
Rats were given identical doses of lithium chloride, 4 mmol/kg body weight/day for 8 days, by different routes. Intraperitoneal administration led to a high serum lithium peak and the development of pronounced polyuria-polydipsia. Subcutaneous administration led to a lower serum peak and the development of less pronounced polyuria-polydipsia. Administration by gastric tube led to a nearly constant serum lithium concentration without any peak and the development of moderate polyuria-polydipsia. Our study shows that the route by which lithium is administered affects the lithium concentration pattern and may influence lithium effects.
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004327:Drinking Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008094:Lithium / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity; D008297:Male; D011141:Polyuria / Q000139:chemically induced; D051381:Rats
D008094:Lithium