Side Effects
Digestive Symptoms
Nausea, Vomiting, diarrhea
Therapeutic Levels
0.6 - 1.2 mEq/L
Diet
maintain stable sodium levels and stay hydrated, don't over-hydrate
Early
Nausea, vomiting, slurred speach, change in LOC, muscles weakness
Cardiac Symptoms
Arrhythmias
Labs to monitor
TSH, T3, T4, sodium levels
Advised not to do
do not abruptly stop taking lithium
Advanced
Ataxia, Blurred vision, coma, severe hypotension
Endocrine Symptoms
Goiter and hypothyroidism
Be alert for signs
Lithium toxicity symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, drowsiness, ataxia, and tremor.
They need to report
any signs of lithium toxicity such as nausea, tremor, drowsiness
Late
Seizures, coma, death, oliguria
Nervous and muscular
Tremor, ataxia, confusion, convulsions
Assessments to monitor
Renal function, thyroid status, ECG
Classification
mood stabilizer
Nontherapeutic level
Above 1.5mEq/L
Fluid and electrolyte
Polydipsia, edema polyuria
Use caution in
older adults, dehydration, renal impairment, or medication interactions
Use of lithium
used for the treatment of manic episodes in bipolar disorder, and prevents other manic episodes
Contraindications increase lithium levels