The relationship between serum lithium levels and clinical response.
A guiding principle in the use of lithium salts in the treatment of mental illness is to maintain the serum lithium level between 0.8 and 1.2 mmol/L. This article reviews the limited evidence on which such a recommendation is male. The pharmacokinetics of lithium ion and difficulties inherent in serum lithium estimation are briefly examined. Clinical studies which looked specifically for a relationship between lithium dosage and serum concentration are reviewed. Treatment studies of lithium in mania and prophylaxis of affective disorders are assessed for indirect evidence to support a relationship between favorable therapeutic outcome and recommended serum levels.
D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008094:Lithium / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D008094:Lithium