Citation

Tondo L, Alda M, Bauer M, Bergink V, Grof P, Hajek T, Lewitka U, Licht RW, Manchia M, Muller-Oerlinghausen B, Nielsen RE, Selo M, Simhandl C, Baldessarini RJ. Int. J. Bipolar Disord. 2019; 7(1).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1186/s40345-019-0151-2

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Lithium has been used clinically for 70 years, mainly to treat bipolar disorder. Competing treatments and exaggerated impressions about complexity and risks of lithium treatment have led to its declining use in some countries, encouraging this update about its safe clinical use. We conducted a nonsystematic review of recent research reports and developed consensus among international experts on the use of lithium to treat major mood disorders, aiming for a simple but authoritative guide for patients and prescribers. Main text: We summarized recommendations concerning safe clinical use of lithium salts to treat major mood disorders, including indications, dosing, clinical monitoring, adverse effects and use in specific circumstances including during pregnancy and for the elderly.

CONCLUSIONS: Lithium continues as the standard and most extensively evaluated treatment for bipolar disorder, especially for long-term prophylaxis. © 2019, The Author(s).

Language: en

Keywords

human; Review; bipolar disorder; Bipolar disorder; abdominal pain; depression; social support; psychosis; suicide attempt; major depression; hospitalization; Lithium; mood disorder; standardized mortality ratio; pregnancy; fatigue; mental disease; personality disorder; clinical feature; cognitive defect; priority journal; recurrent disease; neurotoxicity; electroconvulsive therapy; enzyme activity; pyridoxine; confusion; convulsion; patient compliance; drug efficacy; nausea; tremor; hypotension; akathisia; prophylaxis; mania; hypomania; heart arrhythmia; propranolol; dose response; ataxia; drug monitoring; hypothyroidism; drug indication; leukocytosis; Side-effects; increased appetite; polydipsia; polyuria; treatment response; lithium salt; kidney dysfunction; major affective disorder; hypercalcemia; peripheral edema; Brugada syndrome; hyperparathyroidism; Dosing; lithium blood level; drug toxicity and intoxication; Blood testing