Waqar Azim, Khalid Ahmed, Anjum lqbal, Zein El Amir, Amir Hussain Khan, Mahboob Alam Shah.
Effects of Lithium Therapy on Renal Functions
Pak Armed Forces Med J Dec 1999;49(2):93-106.
Combined Military Hospital, Multan Cantt

Lithium is a low molecular weight cation used for manic depressive psychosis. Prolonged treatment in therapeutic range of 0.6-1.4 mmol/L is required for maintenance of remission. It exerts its toxic effects on a number of organs/systems of body at levels greater than 1.4 mmol/L. Current study was carried out in 154 patients on prolonged lithium treatment to see effects on renal functions. Patients were reviewed at three monthly intervals and lithium, urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, uric acid and creatinine clearance was carried out. Duration of treatment was 1 to 25 years and patients were divided in four groups according to duration of treatment. Strict monitoring of lithium levels was carried out. In our study difference between first and last visit levels of mean urea, creatinine and creatinine clearance in patients on more than five years of lithium treatment were statistically non significant. Acute toxic effects were not noted in any patient because lithium levels were maintained within the therapeutic range.

Category: Internal Medicine
Keywords: Manic Depressive Psychosis. Renal Function Tests. Lithium.

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