title: Lithium intoxication, hypercalcemia and "accidentally" induced food and water aversion: a case report.
abstract: Lithium is widely used in the management of patients with affective and other behavioral disorders. In addition to its therapeutic role, it is important to recognize that it occasionally causes severe side effects. Associated with its long-term use, parathyroid hypersecretion and hypercalcemia is a rare but reported side effect. A 54-year-old patient is reported who previously had a good response to lithium carbonate treatment of his bipolar disorder. Suddenly, and after 15 years of lithium carbonate use, he presented food and water aversion, hypercalcemia, lithium intoxication (SLi of 4.30 mmol/l) and acute renal insufficiency. Haemodialysis was carried out and the patient improved dramatically.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatric Clinic of University General Hospital of Ioannina, University Avenue, 19 Xanthou Str., 45500, Ioannina, Greece. bilanakisn@cvme.gr
authors.forename: Nikos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bilanakis
authors.forename: Mariana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gibiriti
mesh_terms: D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D004326:Drinking / Q000187:drug effects*; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D006934:Hypercalcemia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D016651:Lithium Carbonate / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D018692:Antimanic Agents; D016651:Lithium Carbonate; D003404:Creatinine