TY  - JOUR
PY  - 1999//
TI  - Lithium acute intoxication: Epidemiologic study of the causes
JO  - Jornal Brasileiro de Psiquiatria
A1  - De Almeida Teixeira, A.
A1  - Machado, M.F.
A1  - Ferreira, E.M.
A1  - Torres, J.B.
A1  - Brunstein, M.G.
A1  - tannhauser Barros, H.M.
A1  - Barros, E.
SP  - 399
EP  - 403
VL  - 48
IS  - 9
N2  - 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.<p /> <p>Language: pt</p>
LA  - pt
SN  - 0047-2085
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -