Lithium Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Lithium Deck (7)
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1
Q

What contraidications would you check for in someone starting on lithium?

A
  • 1st trimester pregnancy
  • Breast-feeding
  • Cardiac-insufficiency/rhythm disorder
  • Significant renal impairment
  • Addison’s disease
  • Low sodium
  • Untreated hypothyroidism
2
Q

What is involved in treatment with lithium?

A

Once/twice daily tablet/liquid

3
Q

What investigations would you do before starting someone on lithium?

A
  • FBC
  • U+E’s
  • LFTs
  • BHCG
  • ECG
4
Q

What monitoring is required for lithium?

A
  • Check level after 5 days initiating treatment, then every week until stable for 4 weeks
  • 3 monthly following this
5
Q

What bloods should you check every 6 months in someone who is on lithium?

A
  • TFTs
  • U+E’s
  • Ca2+
6
Q

What are side effects of lithium therapy?

A
  • GI disturbance
  • Metallic taste
  • Fine tremr
  • Water symptoms - polyuria, polydipsia
  • Renal toxicity
  • Nephrogenic DI
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Lithium toxicity
7
Q

What are features of lithium toxicity?

A
  • GI - anorexia, diarrhoea, vomiting
  • Neuromuscular - dysarthria, dizziness, ataxia, impaired coordination, muscle twitching
  • Drowsiness
  • Apathy
  • REstlessness