title: Side Effects and toxicity of lithium.
abstract: Although lithium remains the most specific treatment for bipolar affective disorder, it should be cautiously prescribed and used only when clinically indicated. The main indications for lithium are the manic phase of bipolar affective disorder and prophylaxis of both manic and depressive episodes. Lowering serum lithium levels will markedly reduce the incidence of side effects, and patients should be maintained at the lowest possible serum level. The serum level may be as low as 0.4 mEq/L and as high as 1.5 mEq/L, depending on the clinical response of the patient and the presence of side effects. The most controversial areas are the possibility of renal toxicity and the concomitant use of lithium with neuroleptics, especially haloperidol.
mesh_terms: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy; D001773:Blood Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects; D004064:Digestive System / Q000187:drug effects; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004702:Endocrine Glands / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects; D008094:Lithium / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009132:Muscles / Q000187:drug effects; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D008094:Lithium