lithium toxicity
2 interactions related to lithium toxicity
alcohol + lithium
Lithium has a narrow therapeutic window and is excreted by the kidneys. Alcohol causes diuresis and dehydration, which reduces renal lithium clearance and raises serum lithium levels — pushing patients toward lithium toxicity (tremor, confusion, ataxia, arrhythmia). Alcohol also worsens mood instability in bipolar disorder.
alcohollithiumbipolarmood stabilizerlithium toxicitydehydrationnarrow therapeutic windowdrug interaction
chocolate + lithium
The caffeine in chocolate increases renal lithium clearance through its diuretic effect, lowering serum lithium levels. A sudden change in chocolate or caffeine intake — especially abrupt cessation — can cause serum lithium to rise into the toxic range, while sudden additions can push levels sub-therapeutic.
chocolatelithiumcaffeinerenal clearancelithium toxicitybipolar disorderdrug interactionpsychiatric medication