Citation

De Almeida Teixeira A, Machado MF, Ferreira EM, Torres JB, Brunstein MG, tannhauser Barros HM, Barros E. J. Bras. Psiquiatr. 1999; 48(9): 399-403.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, Instituto De Psiquiatria)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Lithium carbonate has been used for many decades and has proven efficacy in the treatment of bipolar disorder. Lithium is a drug with high toxic potential due to its low therapeutic index, which enhances the chances of patients presenting adverse effects and episodes of acute and chronic intoxication. We have the objective of assessing the frequency of attempted suicide through acute intoxication by lithium carbonate. A series of cases have been studied which have been brought to the attention of the Toxicology Information Centre of Rio Grande do Sul (CIT-RS) in the south of Brazil, between January 1990 and December 1995. 11,715 cases of intoxication involving medication have been identified, 2,938 of which involved the ingestion of drugs. Most frequently the intoxicated patients had self administered a combination of medications or medication with other substances, corresponding to more than a third of reported cases. Of the medication taken singly, there was a bigger number of intoxication by benzodiazepines, followed by anti-convulsants and anti-depressants. Lithium was responsible for 14 cases of attempted suicides, 0.5 percent of cases. Overall there were 25 cases of intoxication by lithium, with unintentional intoxication being less severe as a result of lower dose of lithium being taken by younger patients.

Language: pt

Keywords

Accidental overdoses; adolescent; adult; analgesic agent; antibiotic agent; anticonvulsive agent; antidepressant agent; antiinflammatory agent; antiparasitic agent; anxiolytic agent; article; benzodiazepine derivative; Brazil; dose response; Drug abuse; drug efficacy; human; human tissue; lithium carbonate; Lithium carbonate; major clinical study; manic depressive psychosis; neuroleptic agent; suicidal behavior; Suicide attempt; toxicity testing; toxicology