Lithium toxicity

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Eskalith toxicity; Lithane toxicity; Lithobid toxicity; Lithonate toxicity; Lithotabs toxicity

ACUTE TOXICITY

After taking too much lithium you will have symptoms such as:

• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Stomach pains
• Vomiting
• Weakness

You may also have some of the following nervous system symptoms, depending on how much lithium you took:

• Coma
• Hand tremors
• Incoordination of arms and legs (ataxia)
• Muscle twitches
• Seizures
• Slurred speech
• Uncontrollable eye movement (nystagmus)

Heart problems may occur in rare cases.

CHRONIC TOXICITY

You will likely not have any gastrointestinal symptoms. Symptoms that may occur include:

• Increased reflexes
• Slurred speech
• Tremors

In severe cases, you may also have nervous system and kidney problems such as:

• Kidney failure
• Memory problems
• Movement disorders
• Problems keeping salts in your body
• Psychosis

ACUTE ON CHRONIC TOXICITY

You will likely get some gastrointestinal symptoms and many of the severe nervous system symptoms listed above.

Review Date: 01/21/2010
Reviewed By: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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