title: Are the renal effects of lithium modified by frequency of administration?
abstract: It has been claimed that the unwanted effects and toxicity of lithium can be minimized by changes in the dosing schedules. Twenty consecutive psychiatrically stable patients were investigated in a cross-over study to determine whether renal function and other biochemical tests change significantly with changes from once to twice or multiple doses per day or vice versa. There were no significant differences between the 3 study conditions on the mood rating scales or a side effect scale (UKU). Urine volume, test of renal function and other biochemical and hematological indices were similar in all study conditions. We thus conclude that dosing strategy does not consistently affect renal function in lithium-treated patients.
authors.affiliation: Kingston Psychiatric Hospital, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Abraham
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Waldron
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lawson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects*; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D016651:Lithium Carbonate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D016651:Lithium Carbonate