Lithium augmentation in sertraline‐resistant depression: a preliminary dose‐response study

Eleven patients with DSM-III-R major depression who were treatment-resistant to sertraline were allocated for lithium augmentation therapy. In conjunction with their sertraline, 6 received lithium carbonate 400 mg at night and 5 received 800 mg at night. A total of 7 patients responded within 1 week. The degree of response was not related to the serum lithium level. Patients with lithium levels as low as 0.3 mEq/l responded. No significant side effects were reported.