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Lithium Toxicity: Clinical Presentations and Management

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The Science and Practice of Lithium Therapy

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Abstract

Lithium may be responsible for a large spectrum of central nervous system toxicity, ranging from mental confusion to life-threatening and prolonged myoclonic encephalopathy. Three presentations of lithium poisoning should be clearly distinguished—acute, acute-on-chronic and chronic poisonings—as presentation has a significant influence on the relationship between severity and toxicity-to-serum lithium concentration. Poisoning management is mainly supportive based on saline diuresis but should also include therapies to decrease lithium absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. Haemodialysis is the reference technique to enhance lithium elimination. Recently the EXTRIP workgroup has published guidelines to help physicians manage extracorporeal treatment for lithium poisoning.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. INSERM U1144, Paris, France

    Souleiman El Balkhi

  2. INSERM UMRS-1144, Paris, France

    Bruno Mégarbane MD, PhD

  3. Paris-Diderot University, Paris, France

    Bruno Mégarbane MD, PhD

  4. Department of Medical and Toxicological Critical Care, Lariboisière Hospital – Paris Diderot University, 2 Rue Ambroise Paré, Paris, 75010, France

    Bruno Mégarbane MD, PhD

Authors
  1. Souleiman El Balkhi
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  2. Bruno Mégarbane MD, PhD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bruno Mégarbane MD, PhD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Academic Department of Psychiatry, Sydney Medical School The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

    Gin S. Malhi

  2. Nightingale Hospitals Paris-Clinique du Château de Garches, Consultant Service Hospitalo-Universitaire Centre Hospitalier Sainte-Anne, Paris, France

    Marc Masson

  3. Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, INSERM UMR-S1144 Paris-Diderot University, Paris, France

    Frank Bellivier

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El Balkhi, S., Mégarbane, B. (2017). Lithium Toxicity: Clinical Presentations and Management. In: Malhi, G., Masson, M., Bellivier, F. (eds) The Science and Practice of Lithium Therapy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-45923-3_17

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-45923-3_17

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-45921-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-45923-3

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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