Posted by schleprock on February 5, 2013, at 23:26:13
In reply to Safe and effective use of lithium - Article, posted by jono_in_adelaide on February 5, 2013, at 4:11:47
> http://www.australianprescriber.com/magazine/36/1/18/21
>
> Summary
>
> Lithium has proven efficacy in the treatment of bipolar disorder, both for acute mania and long-term mood stabilisation and prophylaxis
> It is also useful in combating treatment-resistant depression.
> Compared to other mood stabilisers, lithium has a favourable efficacy-tolerability balance.
> Lithium is underused due to active marketing of alternatives and concerns regarding adverse effects, tolerability, and the perception that regular monitoring is difficult."To minimise adverse effects when starting lithium de novo it should be administered in small divided doses then titrated gradually to achieve plasma concentrations of 0.60.8 mmol/L, while monitoring for these effects."
Or you can just use the Dr. Ronald Rawitt preferred method of starting at 1600mg de novo.
poster:schleprock
thread:1037383
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20130205/msgs/1037474.html