Lithium toxicity: Difference between revisions

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(updated clinical presentation section)
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*GI - nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
*GI - nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
**Earliest and most common symptoms
**Earliest and most common symptoms
*Cardiac effects - bradycardia, QT prolongation, T-wave flattening or inversion
*Cardiac effects - bradycardia, QT prolongation, T-wave flattening or inversion<ref>Canan F, Kaya A, Bulur S, Albayrak ES, Ordu S, Ataoglu A. Lithium intoxication related multiple temporary ecg changes: A case report. Cases Journal. 2008;1:156. doi:10.1186/1757-1626-1-156.</ref>
**Can also cause Brugada-like ECG pattern
**Can also cause Brugada-like ECG pattern
*CNS Depression - late finding (takes time for lithium to distribute to CNS), indicates progression of toxicity
*CNS Depression - late finding (takes time for lithium to distribute to CNS), indicates progression of toxicity
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Occurs insidiously in patients on chronic lithium therapy. Toxicity is 2/2 increased absorption or decreased elimination. CNS symptoms predominate.
Occurs insidiously in patients on chronic lithium therapy. Toxicity is 2/2 increased absorption or decreased elimination. CNS symptoms predominate.


*Neurotoxicity is major finding
Chronic lithium therapy is associated with nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, which → hyponatremia, fluid loss → ↑ lithium levels (can precipitate toxicity)
 
*Neurotoxicity is major finding, and is generally more profound than that seen in acute toxicity
**Mild symptoms include tremor, drowsiness
**Mild symptoms include tremor, drowsiness
**Progressive symptoms include hyperreflexia, confusion, ataxia, seizures, extrapyramidal signs, coma
**Progressive symptoms include hyperreflexia, confusion, ataxia, seizures, extrapyramidal signs, coma
 
*Hypothyroidism (lithium inhibits synthesis and release of thyroid hormones)


====Syndrome of Irreversible Lithium-Effectuated Neurotoxicity (SILENT)<ref>Adityanjee, Munshi KR, Thampy A. The syndrome of irreversible lithium-effectuated neurotoxicity. Clin Neuropharmacol. 2005 Jan-Feb;28(1):38-49.</ref>====
====Syndrome of Irreversible Lithium-Effectuated Neurotoxicity (SILENT)<ref>Adityanjee, Munshi KR, Thampy A. The syndrome of irreversible lithium-effectuated neurotoxicity. Clin Neuropharmacol. 2005 Jan-Feb;28(1):38-49.</ref>====
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Symptoms
Symptoms
*Cerebellar dysfunction
*Cerebellar dysfunction
*Peripheral neuropathy
*Extrapyramidal symptoms
*Extrapyramidal symptoms
*Brainstem dysfunction
*Brainstem dysfunction
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**''level may be falsely elevated if placed in a green top tube due to the heparin lithium interaction''
**''level may be falsely elevated if placed in a green top tube due to the heparin lithium interaction''
*Metabolic Panel
*Metabolic Panel
**↑ Na 2/2 nephrogenic diabetes insipidus
**Evaluate renal function
*TSH
*TSH
*ECG<ref>Canan F, Kaya A, Bulur S, Albayrak ES, Ordu S, Ataoglu A. Lithium intoxication related multiple temporary ecg changes: A case report. Cases Journal. 2008;1:156. doi:10.1186/1757-1626-1-156.</ref>
*ECG
**QT prolongation
**T-wave flattening or inversion
*Acetaminophen and Salicylate Levels (possible coingestants)
*Acetaminophen and Salicylate Levels (possible coingestants)


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==Disposition==
==Disposition==
*Consider discharge for pts asymptomatic after 4-6hr obs with 2 downtrending levels
*Consider discharge for pts who are asymptomatic after 4-6hr obs, 2 downtrending lithium levels, and no worsening of renal function
*Admit all pts w/ Li level >1.5
*Admit all pts w/ Li level >1.5
*Admit all pts w/ ingestion of sustained-release preparation (regardless of Li level)
*Admit all pts w/ ingestion of sustained-release preparation (regardless of Li level)

Revision as of 05:16, 21 June 2015

Background

  • Mechanism of action is poorly understood.
  • Despite availability of newer drugs, Lithium remains most effective tx for bipolar disorder, and it still in use
  • Lithium initially distributes in extracellular fluid, then gradually redistributes to other areas including the brain (takes up to 24 hours after absorption)
  • 95% renal excretion
    • NSAIDs, Diuretics, ACE-inhibitors → ↑ Lithium serum concentration by ↓ lithium excretion
  • Lithium toxicity rarely fatal (only 3 deaths in 2009)[1]

Precipitants

  • Overdose
  • Renal failure
  • Volume depletion
    • Diuretic use, vomiting, diarrhea, diaphoresis, decreased oral intake
  • Hyperthermia
  • Infection
  • CHF
  • Surgery
  • Cirrhosis

Clinical Features

Three recognized patterns of Lithium toxicity - "Acute", "Acute-on-chronic", and "Chronic".[2]

Acute

Occurs in patients not previously receiving lithium (i.e. with no current body stores)

Serum concentrations can fall rapidly as lithium redistributes to tissues, and serum level does not correlate with degree of toxicity. GI symptoms predominate.

  • GI - nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
    • Earliest and most common symptoms
  • Cardiac effects - bradycardia, QT prolongation, T-wave flattening or inversion[3]
    • Can also cause Brugada-like ECG pattern
  • CNS Depression - late finding (takes time for lithium to distribute to CNS), indicates progression of toxicity

Acute-on-Chronic

Also called "Acute-on-therapeutic", occurs in patients currently taking lithium due to acute ingestion of supra-therapeutic doses.

  • Symptoms are a mix of both acute and chronic - includes both GI and CNS effects

Chronic

Occurs insidiously in patients on chronic lithium therapy. Toxicity is 2/2 increased absorption or decreased elimination. CNS symptoms predominate.

Chronic lithium therapy is associated with nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, which → hyponatremia, fluid loss → ↑ lithium levels (can precipitate toxicity)

  • Neurotoxicity is major finding, and is generally more profound than that seen in acute toxicity
    • Mild symptoms include tremor, drowsiness
    • Progressive symptoms include hyperreflexia, confusion, ataxia, seizures, extrapyramidal signs, coma
  • Hypothyroidism (lithium inhibits synthesis and release of thyroid hormones)

Syndrome of Irreversible Lithium-Effectuated Neurotoxicity (SILENT)[4]

Persistent sequelae of lithium toxicity. Defined as neurologic dysfunction persisting more than 2 months after cessation of lithium therapy. Exact mechanism unknown (possibly related to CNS demyelination).

Symptoms

  • Cerebellar dysfunction
  • Peripheral neuropathy
  • Extrapyramidal symptoms
  • Brainstem dysfunction
  • Dementia

Diagnosis

  • Lithium level
    • Therapeutic level = 0.6-1.2 meq/L
    • level may be falsely elevated if placed in a green top tube due to the heparin lithium interaction
  • Metabolic Panel
  • TSH
  • ECG
  • Acetaminophen and Salicylate Levels (possible coingestants)

Treatment

  1. GI decontamination
    1. Consider lavage for massive ingestions (>4gm) if can be performed w/in 1hr
    2. Activated charcoal is ineffective
  2. Fluid resuscitation
    1. Average pt has Na/volume deficit; giving fluid helps reestablish normal Li excretion
      1. Give 2L NS bolus; then give 200mL/hr
  3. Seizure
    1. Benzos are 1st line
    2. Phenobarbital is 2nd line
    3. Phenytoin is ineffective
  4. Dialysis
    1. Indications:
      1. Li level >4 (acute overdose)
      2. Li level >3.5 (chronic toxicity)
      3. Little change in Li level after 6hr IVF
      4. Sustained Li level >1.0 after 36hr
      5. Baseline renal failure
      6. Ingestion of sustained-release preparations
    2. Goal:
      1. Li level <1
        1. Must monitor for up to 8hr following dialysis to ensure levels stay <1

Disposition

  • Consider discharge for pts who are asymptomatic after 4-6hr obs, 2 downtrending lithium levels, and no worsening of renal function
  • Admit all pts w/ Li level >1.5
  • Admit all pts w/ ingestion of sustained-release preparation (regardless of Li level)

See Also

References

  1. Bronstein AC, et al: 2009 Annual Report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers’ National Poison Data System (NPDS). Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2010; 48:979.
  2. Waring WS, Laing WJ, Good AM, Bateman DN. Pattern of lithium exposure predicts poisoning severity: evaluation of referrals to a regional poisons unit. QJM. 2007 May;100(5):271-6. Epub 2007 Apr 5.
  3. Canan F, Kaya A, Bulur S, Albayrak ES, Ordu S, Ataoglu A. Lithium intoxication related multiple temporary ecg changes: A case report. Cases Journal. 2008;1:156. doi:10.1186/1757-1626-1-156.
  4. Adityanjee, Munshi KR, Thampy A. The syndrome of irreversible lithium-effectuated neurotoxicity. Clin Neuropharmacol. 2005 Jan-Feb;28(1):38-49.
  • Tintinalli
  • Rosen's Chapter 160 - Lithium