Side Effects Associated With Lithium Therapy

This communication focuses on the toxic and side effects of lithium, that is, its medically important physiological and pharmacological effects apart from its therapeutic psychiatric indications. EFFECTS ON MAJOR BODY SYSTEMS CNS Effects The effects of lithium on the CNS range from commonly observed mild effects to life-threatening, irreversible brain damage in rare instances of severe toxicity. Serial EEG changes have been found in the majority of both patients and volunteers who have received therapeutic dosages of lithium. Andreani et al¹were among the first to report systematic EEG changes on administration of lithium, which were in the general direction of synchronization. Fink²subsequently classified lithium with the neuroleptics in terms of EEG effects, finding that the changes produced by both groups of substances were in the general direction of EEG slowing. Small et al3.4and other investigators⁵have confirmed that lithium levels in the range