A nurse is assessing a client who has been taking lithium carbonate for the past month

What is lithium toxicity?

Lithium toxicity is another term for a lithium overdose. It occurs when you take too much lithium, a mood-stabilizing medication used to treat bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. Lithium helps reduce episodes of mania and lowers the risk of suicide in people with these conditions.

The right dosage of lithium varies from person to person, but most people are prescribed between 900 milligrams (mg) to 1,200 mg per day, in divided doses. Some people take more than 1,200 mg per day, especially during acute episodes. Others may be more sensitive to lower doses.

A safe blood level of lithium is 0.6 and 1.2 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). Lithium toxicity can happen when this level reaches 1.5 mEq/L or higher. Severe lithium toxicity happens at a level of 2.0 mEq/L and above, which can be life-threatening in rare cases. Levels of 3.0 mEq/L and higher are considered a medical emergency.

People taking lithium need to carefully monitor how much they take it and when. It’s easy to accidentally overdose on lithium by taking an extra pill, mixing it with other medications, or not drinking enough water. In 2014, for example, there were 6,850 reported cases of lithium toxicity in the United States.

Lithium toxicity is usually caused by taking more than your prescribed dose of lithium, either at once or slowly over a long period of time.

There are three main types of lithium toxicity, each with different causes:

• Acute toxicity. This happens when you take too much lithium at once, either accidentally or on purpose.
• Chronic toxicity. This happens when you take a little too much lithium daily over a long period of time. Dehydration, other medications, and other conditions including kidney problems, can affect how your body handles lithium. Over time, these factors can cause lithium to slowly build up in your body.
• Acute-on-chronic toxicity. This can happen if you take lithium every day for a long period of time, but then suddenly take an extra pill one day, either accidentally or on purpose.

If you think someone is at immediate risk of self-harm, overdosing, or hurting another person:

• Call 911 or your local emergency number.
• Stay with the person until help arrives.
• Remove any guns, knives, medications, or other things that may cause harm.
• Listen, but don’t judge, argue, threaten, or yell.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, get help from a crisis or suicide prevention hotline. Try the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.

Sensitivities and interactions with lithium

Some people are more sensitive to lithium and may experience symptoms of lithium toxicity at lower levels than others. This is especially true in people who are older or dehydrated. It’s also more likely in people with cardiovascular and kidney problems.

Certain foods or drinks may also affect lithium concentrations in the body. It’s best to not adjust the following unless monitored by a doctor:

INSERT LONG LIST FORMAT:

• Salt intake. Less salt can make your lithium levels rise, while increasing your salt intake can cause it to fall.
• Caffeine intake. Caffeine found in coffee, tea, and soft drinks may have an effect on lithium levels. Less caffeine can cause your lithium levels to rise, while more can cause it to lower.
• Avoid alcohol. Alcoholic beverages can have a negative effect on many medications.

In addition, taking lithium with other medications can also increase your risk of lithium toxicity. If you take lithium, make sure you talk to your doctor before using:

• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or naproxen (Aleve)
• indomethacin
• selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors, such as celecoxib (Celebrex)
• acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• metronidazole
• calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine (Norvasc), verapamil (Verelan), and nifedipine (Adalat CC, Procardia XL)
• angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, such as enalapril (Vasotec) or benazepril (Lotensin)
• diuretics

Mild lithium toxicity is often difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to those of many other conditions. Your doctor will likely start by asking you some questions about how much lithium you take, as well as how often you take it.

Be sure to tell your doctor about all of your symptoms, any recent illnesses, and whether you’re taking any other medications, including vitamins, supplements, and even teas.

They may also use one or a combination of the following tests:

• an electrocardiogram to test for an abnormal heartbeat
• a blood chemistry test to look at your metabolism and electrolyte levels
• a blood or urine test to determine your serum lithium levels
• a blood test to check your kidney function

If you’re taking lithium and experience any of the symptoms of lithium toxicity, seek immediate treatment or call the Poison Control Center hotline at 1-800-222-1222 for instructions on what to do.

There’s no specific antidote for lithium toxicity.

Mild toxicity

Mild lithium toxicity usually goes away on its own when you stop taking lithium and drink some extra fluids. However, your doctor may still want to keep an eye on you while you recover.

Moderate to severe toxicity

Moderate to severe lithium toxicity usually requires additional treatment, such as:

• Stomach pumping. This procedure may be an option if you’ve taken lithium within the last hour.
• Whole bowel irrigation. You’ll swallow a solution or be given one through a tube to help flush the extra lithium out of your intestines.
• IV fluids. You may need these to restore your electrolyte balance.
• Hemodialysis. This procedure uses an artificial kidney, called a hemodialyzer, to remove waste from your blood.
• Medication. If you start to have seizures, your doctor might prescribe an anticonvulsant medication.
• Vital sign monitoring. Your doctor may choose to keep you under supervision while they monitor your vital signs, including your blood pressure and heart rate, for any unusual signs.

Lithium toxicity can have lasting effects, so it’s important to seek medical attention immediately if you think you may have it. Avoid home remedies, such as activated charcoal, which doesn’t bind to lithium.

When caught early, lithium toxicity is often treatable with extra hydration and reducing your dosage. However, moderate to severe lithium toxicity is a medical emergency and might require additional treatment, such as stomach pumping.

If you take lithium, make sure you know the signs of an overdose and keep the number for poison control (1-800-222-1222) handy in your phone. Contact your doctor if you have any concerns about medication or food interactions that might occur while you take lithium.