title: Lithium treatment: a comparison of once- and twice-daily dosing.
abstract: The effects of once- and twice-daily dosing with lithium carbonate were compared in a non-blind, cross-over study on 20 consecutive patients with mood disorders. Mental status, side effects and target organ function were examined after a minimum of a 1-month treatment with each regimen. Eighteen patients completed the study and 2 withdrew because of side effects. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, the Bech-Rafaelsen Mania Scale, the UKU Side Effects Scale or in serum lithium, electrocardiogram and urine volumes. Most blood tests showed no significant difference between the 2 treatment schedules except for white blood cells, ionized calcium and phosphate concentration. The once-daily regimen was associated with a higher white cell count, increased serum phosphate and elevated serum ionized calcium. We conclude that patients are able to tolerate once-daily dosing with lithium carbonate as well as twice-daily dosing.
authors.affiliation: Kinston Psychiatric Hospital, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Abraham
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Delva
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Waldron
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lawson
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Owen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000187:drug effects; D016651:Lithium Carbonate / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
chemical_list: D016651:Lithium Carbonate