What happens if lithium is too high?

Moderate intoxication: confusion, agitation, delirium, tachycardia, and hypertonia (serum lithium concentration between 2.5-3.5 mEq/L)[33] [34]. Severe intoxication: Coma, seizures, hyperthermia, and hypotension (serum lithium concentration (more than 3.5 mEq/L)[33] [34].


What is the lethal level of lithium?

Abstract. Lithium therapy has various neurologic cardiovascular, and renal side effects. Lithium intoxication with a serum lithium level of greater than or equal to 3.5 mEq/l is considered potentially lethal and hemodialysis therapy is recommended.

What are the signs of toxicity in lithium?

In mild lithium toxicity, symptoms include weakness, worsening tremor, mild ataxia, poor concentration and diarrhea. With worsening toxicity, vomiting, the development of a gross tremor, slurred speech, confusion and lethargy emerge (Bauer and Gitlin 2016).


Can too much lithium cause brain damage?

Serum levels of >2 mM may be associated with neurological symptoms, including cerebellar dysfunction. Prolonged lithium intoxication >2 mM can cause permanent brain damage.

What are the three initial signs and symptoms of lithium toxicity?

Early Signs of Lithium Toxicity

Loss of appetite, or vomiting. Blurred vision. Excessive thirstiness.


Lithium 18650 Battery Explosion



What organs can lithium damage?

The three organ systems that may be negatively affected by lithium are the thyroid gland, kidneys and parathyroid glands.

Which are the most serious adverse effects associated with lithium?

Rare/serious side effects

Signs of lithium toxicity include severe nausea and vomiting, severe hand tremors, confusion, vision changes, and unsteadiness while standing or walking. These symptoms need to be addressed immediately with a medical doctor to ensure your lithium level is not dangerously high.

Is lithium toxicity reversible?

Most often, lithium neurotoxicity is reversible but sometimes may be irreversible. Reversible lithium neurotoxicity has been defined as cases of lithium neurotoxicity in which patients recovered without any permanent neurologic sequelae, even after 2 months of an episode of lithium toxicity.


What are the most common side effects of lithium?

Key facts. The most common side effects of lithium are feeling or being sick, diarrhoea, a dry mouth and a metallic taste in the mouth. Your doctor will carry out regular blood tests to check how much lithium is in your blood.

Is lithium easy to overdose on?

Overdose effects can occur at as low as 1.0 mmol/l in some people. The window between a therapeutic dose and an overdose or potential lethal dose can be quite narrow.

Is lithium toxicity permanent?

Rarely, lithium is reported to cause irreversible, permanent neurological sequelae such as cerebellar impairment, dementia, parkinsonian syndromes, choreoathetosis, brain stem syndromes, and peripheral neuropathies.


What does lithium do to the human brain?

Lithium helps reduce the severity and frequency of mania — the elevated, euphoric end of the mood scale — and may help to treat bipolar depression. If you have been at risk of suicide, lithium may help reduce these feelings. Lithium also helps prevent manic and depressive episodes occurring in the future.

Can too much lithium cause anxiety?

Similarly, lithium itself can have what's known as a "paradoxical" reaction where it actually creates more anxiety and depression, which is another important reason not to use lithium without talking to your doctor.

Can lithium make you feel weird?

When first starting lithium, many people experience common side effects, such as nausea, shakiness, or greater thirst. Regular blood monitoring is important to make sure you are taking a safe and effective dose of lithium.


What drugs should not be taken with lithium?

Common drug–drug interactions with lithium

The most commonly prescribed drugs that have the potential to interact with lithium are ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor antagonists (sartans), diuretics, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

What triggers lithium toxicity?

Lithium is a prescription medicine used to treat bipolar disorder. This article focuses on lithium overdose, or toxicity. Acute toxicity occurs when you swallow too much of a lithium prescription at one time. Chronic toxicity occurs when you slowly take a little too much of a lithium prescription every day for a while.

Can too much lithium cause hallucinations?

Interaction or overdosage may cause serotonin syndrome (symptoms include mental status changes [such as agitation, hallucinations, coma, delirium]), fast heart rate, dizziness, flushing, muscle tremor or rigidity, and stomach symptoms (including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea).


What are two long term side effects of lithium?

Results: Long-term lithium treatment is associated with a reduced urinary concentrating ability, with subsequent polyuria and polidypsia and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (in 10-40% of patients).

Can lithium damage your heart?

Introduction. Lithium overdose can be associated with cardiac toxicity, especially in those with underlying heart disease. Toxic levels of serum lithium are associated with cardiotoxic effects ranging from simple ECG disorders to dysrhythmias, cardiomyopathy and even acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Can lithium cause personality changes?

Substantial affect and mood changes are induced by lithium carbonate. Lethargy, dysphoria, a loss of interest in interacting with others and the environment, and a state of increased mental confusion were reported.


Can lithium cause altered mental status?

The possible complications of lithium overdose include altered mental status, hand tremor, muscle weakness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, seizure, syncope, and arrhythmia. Lithium intoxication can be fatal and is difficult to diagnose in patients without a history of lithium intake.

Does lithium build up in the body?

Dehydration, other medications, and other conditions including kidney problems, can affect how your body handles lithium. Over time, these factors can cause lithium to slowly build up in your body.

What is a normal lithium level?

The reference range for therapeutic levels of lithium is 0.8-1.2 mEq/L.


How does the body get rid of lithium?

Initial general anti-poisoning measures, such as gastric lavage, may be helpful, but the ultimate success of treatment depends upon the elimination of lithium from the body. Hemodialysis, and, to a lesser extent, peritoneal dialysis, will both rapidly eliminate lithium from the body.

Does lithium cause brain fog?

Cognitive side-effects are however a significant issue with lithium, and a significant cause for patient suffering and often leads to partial and/or full non-adherence to treatment. Lithium has been associated with impaired memory, word finding difficulties, and impaired recall.