A 28-year-old woman with bipolar disorder has a lithium level of 2.3 mEq/L (normal range 0.6-1.25 mEq/L). Which of the following side effects is most likely to occur?: (A) mania, (B) depression, (C) tremor, (D) hyponatremia
Answer is C. Lithium is used primarily for bipolar affective disorder, either to treat mania or prevent recurrences of the bipolar disorder. It has also been used in severe unipolar depression. Acute intoxication can result in vomiting, diarrhea, tremor, ataxia, coma, and convulsions. Leukocytosis is also a side effect of lithium therapy. Polyuria and polydipsia secondary to acquired nephrogenic diabetes insipidus is a common side effect. Both acute and chronic intoxication can be lethal. The toxic and therapeutic levels of lithium are very close, and patients on lithium require close medical observation, including measurement of serum lithium levels.