Clonazepam and lithium--a toxic combination in the treatment of mania?
Clonazepam, a benzodiazepine with anticonvulsant properties, has recently been found to be effective in the control of acute mania. Its use in combination with lithium has been advocated. Here 5 cases are presented in which the combination of clonazepam (2 mg-16 mg) plus lithium (900 mg-2400 mg) produced a neurotoxic syndrome with ataxia and dysarthria. In all cases the syndrome was reversible.
Koczerginski
D
D
Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, Canada.
Kennedy
S H
SH
Swinson
R P
RP
D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002998:Clonazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009420:Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects*; D013577:Syndrome
D002998:Clonazepam; D008094:Lithium