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A 4-year study of lithium intoxication reported to the Czech Toxicological Information Centre

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Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the frequency and severity of lithium intoxication in calls to the Czech Toxicological Information Centre (TIC).

Method

A 4-year retrospective study (2000–2003) of cases of lithium intoxication. Analysis of data from the database of the TIC and hospital discharge reports: sex, age, dose, blood level and biochemical markers of nephrotoxicity, symptoms, treatment and outcome of intoxication.

Results

The TIC received 70 calls concerning lithium intoxication, but only 27 discharge reports from hospitals were obtained and evaluated. Calls concerning women (16, median age 43.5 years) were more frequent than calls concerning men (11, median age 51.0 years). 16 patients had central nervous system or neurological symptoms. Signs of nephrotoxicity were present in 10 patients. Nine patients had cardiovascular symptoms. Possible interactions with other drugs during chronic overdoses were present in 14 patients. Six patients died due to lithium intoxication.

Conclusion

Lithium intoxication remains a serious problem in calls to the TIC. Severe symptoms mainly developed in older patients. Drugs significantly potentiating toxic reactions to lithium should be avoided.

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Acknowledgements

This study was financially supported by Research Project No. MSM 0021620807 of the Ministry of Education of the Czech Republic. The authors thank professor Steve Diskin for linguistic assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Toxicological Information Centre, Department of Occupational Medicine of the First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General Teaching Hospital, Na Bojišti 1, 120 00, Prague 2, Czech Republic

    Martina Křenová & Daniela Pelclová

Authors
  1. Martina Křenová
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  2. Daniela Pelclová
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Martina Křenová.

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Křenová, M., Pelclová, D. A 4-year study of lithium intoxication reported to the Czech Toxicological Information Centre. Pharm World Sci 28, 274–277 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-006-9052-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-006-9052-4

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