Lithium toxicity

Definition

Lithium is a medication used to treat bipolar disorder (manic depression). This article focuses on lithium overdose, or toxicity.

• Acute toxicity occurs when you intentionally or accidentally swallow too much of a lithium prescription.
• Chronic toxicity occurs when you slowly take a little too much of a lithium prescription every day for a while. This is actually quite easy to do, as dehydration, other medications, and other conditions can easily interfere with lithium in your body and cause it to build up.
• Acute on chronic toxicity occurs when you take lithium every day for bipolar disorder, but one day you take an extra amount (as little as a couple of pills or as much as a whole bottle).

See: Overdose

Alternative Names

Eskalith toxicity; Lithane toxicity; Lithobid toxicity; Lithonate toxicity; Lithotabs toxicity

Poisonous Ingredient

Lithium, a soft metal

Where Found

Lithium is sold under various brand names, including:

• Cibalith
• Carbolith
• Duralith
• Eskalith
• Lithane
• Lithobid
• Lithonate

Note: Lithium is also commonly found in batteries, lubricants, high performance metal alloys, and soldering supplies. This article focuses only on the medication.

References

Goldfrank LR, Flomenbaum NE, Lewin NA, et al. Goldfrank's Toxicologic Emergencies. 7th ed. New York, NY: McGraw Hill; 2002.