American Journal of Internal Medicine

| Peer-Reviewed |

Lithium Poisoning Update in Diagnosis and Treatment

Received: 25 July 2020    Accepted: 6 August 2020    Published: 20 August 2020
Views:       Downloads:

Share This Article

Abstract

Introduction: Lithium has been used over time in the treatment of psychiatric pathologies, mainly the bipolar spectrum, however, the narrow therapeutic range generates a high incidence of poisoning by this metal, with a very heterogeneous clinical presentation of toxicity which will depend on two factors: the time of evolution, if it is acute or chronic, and the serum levels, ranging from gastrointestinal symptoms to severe neurological compromise. As of today, there is no specific antidote for lithium, so intermittent hemodialysis is the strategy of choice for the intoxicated patient. Objectives: To describe the available and relevant literature on the management of Lithium poisoning. Methodology: A search was performed with the MeSH terms "Lithium, Renal Dialysis, Poisoning, Toxicity, Acute kidney injury" in the ClinicalKey, PubMed and Ovid databases search engines, finding 156 results, of which 47 were used to develop this manuscript. Conclusions: Lithium poisoning is frequent due to its narrow therapeutic margin, so serum lithium levels should be monitored in patients medicated with it. Today there is no specific antidote, so renal replacement therapy is the best therapeutic option for lithium poisoning, demonstrating high efficiency, especially in cases of marked neurotoxicity. It is necessary to assess the need to initiate timely management in order to achieve a rapid clearance of the drug and decrease the rate of complications and mortality.

DOI 10.11648/j.ajim.20200805.14
Published in American Journal of Internal Medicine (Volume 8, Issue 5, September 2020)
Page(s) 215-220
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Lithium, Renal Dialysis, Poisoning, Toxicity, Acute Kidney Injury (MeSH)

References
[1] J. E. Rico Fontalvo, “Intoxicación por litio, una verdadera urgencia dialítica,” Rev. Colomb. Nefrol., 2018.
[2] M. D. Okusa and L. J. T. Crystal, “Clinical manifestations and management of acute lithium intoxication,” The American Journal of Medicine. 1994.
[3] J. F. Aita, J. A. Aita, and V. A. Aita, “7-Up anti-acid lithiated lemon soda or early medicinal use of lithium.” Nebr. Med. J., 1990.
[4] B. Corbella and E. Vieta, “Molecular targets of lithium action,” Acta Neuropsychiatrica. 2003.
[5] K. Ware, E. Tillery, and L. Linder, “General pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic concepts of mood stabilizers in the treatment of bipolar disorder,” Ment. Heal. Clin., vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 54–61, 2016.
[6] K. Sanborn and J. W. Jefferson, “Everyman’s guide to the fluctuating lithium level. Obvious and obscure reasons why serum lithium levels change,” Annals of Clinical Psychiatry. 1991.
[7] S. A. Hedya and H. D. Swoboda, Toxicity, Lithium. 2018.
[8] E. Jakobsson et al., “Towards a Unified Understanding of Lithium Action in Basic Biology and its Significance for Applied Biology,” Journal of Membrane Biology. 2017.
[9] G. S. Sachs, D. J. Printz, D. A. Kahn, D. Carpenter, and J. P. Docherty, “The Expert Consensus Guideline Series: Medication Treatment of Bipolar Disorder 2000.,” in Postgraduate medicine, 2000.
[10] S. S. Burgess et al., “Lithium for maintenance treatment of mood disorders,” Cochrane Database Syst. Rev., 2001.
[11] E. Grandjean and J. Aubry, “Lithium: Updated Human Knowledge Using an Evidence-Based Approach: Part II: Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutic Monitoring.,” CNS Drugs, 2009.
[12] S. C. Chien, K. T. Liu, and Y. H. Wu, “Lithium intoxication presenting as altered consciousness and arrhythmia with cardiogenic shock: A case report,” Med. (United States), 2018.
[13] R. Haussmann, M. Bauer, S. von Bonin, P. Grof, and U. Lewitzka, “Treatment of lithium intoxication: facing the need for evidence,” International Journal of Bipolar Disorders. 2015.
[14] P. R. Finley, “Drug Interactions with Lithium: An Update,” Clinical Pharmacokinetics. 2016.
[15] W. S. Waring, W. J. Laing, A. M. Good, and D. N. Bateman, “Pattern of lithium exposure predicts poisoning severity: Evaluation of referrals to a regional poisons unit,” QJM, 2007.
[16] F. Canan, A. Kaya, S. Bulur, E. S. Albayrak, S. Ordu, and A. Ataoglu, “Lithium intoxication related multiple temporary ecg changes: A case report,” Cases J., 2008.
[17] M. Ott, B. Stegmayr, E. Salander Renberg, and U. Werneke, “Lithium intoxication: Incidence, clinical course and renal function - A population-based retrospective cohort study,” J. Psychopharmacol., 2016.
[18] J. Davis, M. Desmond, and M. Berk, “Lithium and nephrotoxicity: A literature review of approaches to clinical management and risk stratification,” BMC Nephrol., 2018.
[19] R. N. M. Maddala, A. J. Ashwal, M. S. Rao, and R. Padmakumar, “Chronic lithium intoxication: Varying electrocardiogram manifestations,” Indian J. Pharmacol., 2017.
[20] D. Kibirige, K. Luzinda, and R. Ssekitoleko, “Spectrum of lithium induced thyroid abnormalities: A current perspective,” Thyroid Research. 2013.
[21] R. Gong, P. Wang, and L. Dworkin, “What we need to know about the effect of lithium on the kidney,” Am. J. Physiol. - Ren. Physiol., 2016.
[22] R. T. Timmer and J. M. Sands, “Lithium intoxication,” J. Am. Soc. Nephrol., 1999.
[23] P. Grof and E. Grof, “Varieties of lithium benefit,” Prog. Neuropsychopharmacol. Biol. Psychiatry, 1990.
[24] E. Calabrese, “Hormesis: a revolution in toxicology, risk assessment and medicine: Re-framing the dose–response relationship,” EMBO Rep., 2004.
[25] B. M. Christensen et al., “αENaC-mediated lithium absorption promotes nephrogenic diabetes insipidus,” J. Am. Soc. Nephrol., 2011.
[26] M. L. A. Kortenoeven et al., “Amiloride blocks lithium entry through the sodium channel thereby attenuating the resultant nephrogenic diabetes insipidus,” Kidney Int., 2009.
[27] R. Rao et al., “Lithium treatment inhibits renal GSK-3 activity and promotes cyclooxygenase 2-dependent polyuria,” Am. J. Physiol. - Ren. Physiol., 2005.
[28] E. Mohandas and V. Rajmohan, “Lithium use in special populations,” Indian J. Psychiatry, 2007.
[29] J. P. Grünfeld and B. C. Rossier, “Lithium nephrotoxicity revisited,” Nature Reviews Nephrology. 2009.
[30] Y. Wang et al., “Inhibiting glycogen synthase kinase-3 reduces endotoxaemic acute renal failure by down-regulating inflammation and renal cell apoptosis,” Br. J. Pharmacol., 2009.
[31] H. Bao et al., “Delayed administration of a single dose of lithium promotes recovery from AKI,” J. Am. Soc. Nephrol., 2014.
[32] R. Oruch, M. A. Elderbi, H. A. Khattab, I. F. Pryme, and A. Lund, “Lithium: A review of pharmacology, clinical uses, and toxicity,” European Journal of Pharmacology. 2014.
[33] D. Vodovar, S. El Balkhi, E. Curis, N. Deye, and B. Mégarbane, “Lithium poisoning in the intensive care unit: predictive factors of severity and indications for extracorporeal toxin removal to improve outcome,” Clin. Toxicol., 2016.
[34] J. Baird-Gunning, T. Lea-Henry, L. C. G. Hoegberg, S. Gosselin, and D. M. Roberts, “Lithium Poisoning,” Journal of Intensive Care Medicine. 2017.
[35] D. M. Roberts and S. Gosselin, “Variability in the Management of Lithium Poisoning,” Semin. Dial., 2014.
[36] F. Eyer et al., “Lithium poisoning: Pharmacokinetics and clearance during different therapeutic measures,” J. Clin. Psychopharmacol., 2006.
[37] M. Bretaudeau Deguigne, J. F. Hamel, D. Boels, and P. Harry, “Lithium poisoning: The value of early digestive tract decontamination,” Clin. Toxicol., 2013.
[38] R. Thanacoody et al., “Position paper update: Whole bowel irrigation for gastrointestinal decontamination of overdose patients,” Clinical Toxicology. 2015.
[39] D. Vodovar, L. Minh P., L. Labat, and B. Mégarbane, “Identifying lithium-poisoned patients who may benefit from haemodialysis remains highly challenging,” British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 2020.
[40] N. Harbord, “Common Toxidromes and the Role of Extracorporeal Detoxification,” Advances in Chronic Kidney Disease. 2020.
[41] D. Vodovar, S. Beaune, J. Langrand, E. Vicaut, L. Labat, and B. Mégarbane, “Assessment of Extracorporeal Treatments in Poisoning criteria for the decision of extracorporeal toxin removal in lithium poisoning,” Br. J. Clin. Pharmacol., 2020.
[42] N. A. Buckley et al., “Haemodialysis for lithium poisoning: Translating EXTRIP recommendations into practical guidelines,” Br. J. Clin. Pharmacol., 2020.
[43] B. S. Decker et al., “Extracorporeal treatment for lithium poisoning: Systematic review and recommendations from the EXTRIP workgroup,” Clin. J. Am. Soc. Nephrol., 2015.
[44] A. R. Bailey, V. J. Sathianathan, A. L. Chiew, A. D. Paterson, B. S. H. Chan, and S. Arora, “Comparison of intermittent haemodialysis, prolonged intermittent renal replacement therapy and continuous renal replacement haemofiltration for lithium toxicity: A case report,” Crit. Care Resusc., 2011.
[45] G. Ouellet, J. Bouchard, M. Ghannoum, and B. S. Decker, “Available extracorporeal treatments for poisoning: Overview and limitations,” Semin. Dial., 2014.
[46] V. Lavergne et al., “Guidelines for reporting case studies on extracorporeal treatments in poisonings: Methodology,” Semin. Dial., 2014.
[47] Brian S. Decker, et al. Extracorporeal Treatment for Lithium Poisoning: Systematic Review and Recommendations from the EXTRIP Workgroup. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol, 2015. DOI: 10.2215/CJN.10021014.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Jorge Rico-Fontalvo, Rodrigo Daza-Arnedo, Victor Leal-Martínez, Emilio Abuabara-Franco, Nehomar Pájaro-Galvis, et al. (2020). Lithium Poisoning Update in Diagnosis and Treatment. American Journal of Internal Medicine, 8(5), 215-220. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajim.20200805.14

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Jorge Rico-Fontalvo; Rodrigo Daza-Arnedo; Victor Leal-Martínez; Emilio Abuabara-Franco; Nehomar Pájaro-Galvis, et al. Lithium Poisoning Update in Diagnosis and Treatment. Am. J. Intern. Med. 2020, 8(5), 215-220. doi: 10.11648/j.ajim.20200805.14

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Jorge Rico-Fontalvo, Rodrigo Daza-Arnedo, Victor Leal-Martínez, Emilio Abuabara-Franco, Nehomar Pájaro-Galvis, et al. Lithium Poisoning Update in Diagnosis and Treatment. Am J Intern Med. 2020;8(5):215-220. doi: 10.11648/j.ajim.20200805.14

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.ajim.20200805.14,
      author = {Jorge Rico-Fontalvo and Rodrigo Daza-Arnedo and Victor Leal-Martínez and Emilio Abuabara-Franco and Nehomar Pájaro-Galvis and José Correa-Guerrero and Maria Raad-Sarabia and Alonso Pomares-Lara and Dayana Ayola-Rosales and Karen Mercado-Anillo and Yamile Sepúlveda-Hernandez and Huber Alvarado-Castell and Christian Pérez-Calvo},
      title = {Lithium Poisoning Update in Diagnosis and Treatment},
      journal = {American Journal of Internal Medicine},
      volume = {8},
      number = {5},
      pages = {215-220},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajim.20200805.14},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajim.20200805.14},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajim.20200805.14},
      abstract = {Introduction: Lithium has been used over time in the treatment of psychiatric pathologies, mainly the bipolar spectrum, however, the narrow therapeutic range generates a high incidence of poisoning by this metal, with a very heterogeneous clinical presentation of toxicity which will depend on two factors: the time of evolution, if it is acute or chronic, and the serum levels, ranging from gastrointestinal symptoms to severe neurological compromise. As of today, there is no specific antidote for lithium, so intermittent hemodialysis is the strategy of choice for the intoxicated patient. Objectives: To describe the available and relevant literature on the management of Lithium poisoning. Methodology: A search was performed with the MeSH terms "Lithium, Renal Dialysis, Poisoning, Toxicity, Acute kidney injury" in the ClinicalKey, PubMed and Ovid databases search engines, finding 156 results, of which 47 were used to develop this manuscript. Conclusions: Lithium poisoning is frequent due to its narrow therapeutic margin, so serum lithium levels should be monitored in patients medicated with it. Today there is no specific antidote, so renal replacement therapy is the best therapeutic option for lithium poisoning, demonstrating high efficiency, especially in cases of marked neurotoxicity. It is necessary to assess the need to initiate timely management in order to achieve a rapid clearance of the drug and decrease the rate of complications and mortality.},
     year = {2020}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Lithium Poisoning Update in Diagnosis and Treatment
    AU  - Jorge Rico-Fontalvo
    AU  - Rodrigo Daza-Arnedo
    AU  - Victor Leal-Martínez
    AU  - Emilio Abuabara-Franco
    AU  - Nehomar Pájaro-Galvis
    AU  - José Correa-Guerrero
    AU  - Maria Raad-Sarabia
    AU  - Alonso Pomares-Lara
    AU  - Dayana Ayola-Rosales
    AU  - Karen Mercado-Anillo
    AU  - Yamile Sepúlveda-Hernandez
    AU  - Huber Alvarado-Castell
    AU  - Christian Pérez-Calvo
    Y1  - 2020/08/20
    PY  - 2020
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajim.20200805.14
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ajim.20200805.14
    T2  - American Journal of Internal Medicine
    JF  - American Journal of Internal Medicine
    JO  - American Journal of Internal Medicine
    SP  - 215
    EP  - 220
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2330-4324
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajim.20200805.14
    AB  - Introduction: Lithium has been used over time in the treatment of psychiatric pathologies, mainly the bipolar spectrum, however, the narrow therapeutic range generates a high incidence of poisoning by this metal, with a very heterogeneous clinical presentation of toxicity which will depend on two factors: the time of evolution, if it is acute or chronic, and the serum levels, ranging from gastrointestinal symptoms to severe neurological compromise. As of today, there is no specific antidote for lithium, so intermittent hemodialysis is the strategy of choice for the intoxicated patient. Objectives: To describe the available and relevant literature on the management of Lithium poisoning. Methodology: A search was performed with the MeSH terms "Lithium, Renal Dialysis, Poisoning, Toxicity, Acute kidney injury" in the ClinicalKey, PubMed and Ovid databases search engines, finding 156 results, of which 47 were used to develop this manuscript. Conclusions: Lithium poisoning is frequent due to its narrow therapeutic margin, so serum lithium levels should be monitored in patients medicated with it. Today there is no specific antidote, so renal replacement therapy is the best therapeutic option for lithium poisoning, demonstrating high efficiency, especially in cases of marked neurotoxicity. It is necessary to assess the need to initiate timely management in order to achieve a rapid clearance of the drug and decrease the rate of complications and mortality.
    VL  - 8
    IS  - 5
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

Author Information
  • Department of Nephrology, Soma Clinic, Medellín, Colombiajorgericof@yahoo.com

  • Department of Nephrology, New Bocagrande Hospital, Cartagena, Colombia

  • Department of Internal Medicine, New Bocagrande Hospital, Cartagena, Colombia

  • Department of Internal Medicine, Estrios Clinic, Cartagena, Colombia

  • Department of Internal Medicine, University of Sinu, Cartagena, Colombia

  • Department of Internal Medicine, University of Sinu, Cartagena, Colombia

  • Department of Internal Medicine, San Jose de Torices Clinic, Cartagena, Colombia

  • Department of Medicine, University of Sinu, Cartagena, Colombia

  • Department of Medicine, University of Cartagena, Cartagena, Colombia

  • Department de Medicine, San Jose de Torices Clinic, Cartagena, Colombia

  • Department of Medicine, Blas de Lezo Clinic, Cartagena, Colombia

  • Department of Medicine, Blas de Lezo Clinic, Cartagena, Colombia

  • Sections