[Chronic metabolic and renal disorders related to lithium salts treatment].

[Chronic metabolic and renal disorders related to lithium salts treatment]. Rev Med Interne. 2019 Feb 28;: Authors: Tabibzadeh N, Vrtovsnik F, Serrano F, Vidal-Petiot E, Flamant M Abstract Lithium salts are the main treatment of bipolar disorder, which is characterized by potentially life-threatening maniac and/or depressive episodes. They have proven efficient in the prevention and treatment of acute episodes as well as in the prevention of suicidal risk. However, this efficacy is counterbalanced by a narrow therapeutic range that can lead to potentially harmful overdose, and by adverse long-term events. Nevertheless, they remain first-line treatment, notwithstanding therapeutic alternatives. In this review, we will describe toxic effects of long-term treatment at therapeutic levels of lithium salts. Regarding renal effects, early-impaired urine concentrating ability might lead to polyuria and polydipsia, and even to hypernatremia if free access to water is compromised. Long-term lithium treatment might also lead to chronic kidney disease, characterized by tubulo-interstitial multicystic nephropathy. End-stage renal disease requiring renal replacement therapy is a rare complication. Major extra-renal toxic effects are hypercalcemia and hypothyroidism. Treatment cessation due to these adverse events should be a multidisciplinary and case-by-case decision based on the benefit/risk ratio. Since these toxic effects are mild and display ...
Source: Revue de Medecine Interne - Category: Internal Medicine Tags: Rev Med Interne Source Type: research