Treatment of neuroleptic-induced leukopenia with lithium carbonate.
Based on the finding that lithium carbonate administration can stimulate leukocyte production, six patients were treated with neuroleptic and other drug-induced granulocytopenia with lithium carbonate. The average total leukocyte count of 2500/mm3 increased to 4566/mm3. Similarly the average neutrophil count of 1028/mm3 increased to 2893/mm3 after lithium therapy. In all six patients, neutrophils decreased upon discontinuation of lithium. On the other hand, total WBC count of 4566/mm3 decreased to 2650/mm3, and the total neutrophil count of 2893/mm3 decreased to 966/mm3 after four weeks without lithium. The results suggest that lithium carbonate is effective in the treatment of drug-induced leukopenia.
D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008094:Lithium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016651:Lithium Carbonate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009504:Neutrophils
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D016651:Lithium Carbonate; D008094:Lithium