Lithium Overdose

As with any medicine, a person can take too much lithium. Overdose effects will depend on how much was taken and whether it was combined with alcohol or other drugs. Common symptoms can include shakiness, vomiting, and blurred vision. If the lithium overdose was recent, treatment options may include "pumping the stomach" or administering certain medications. Other treatment options include dialysis and supportive care.

 

Lithium Overdose: An Introduction

Lithium (Eskalith®, Eskalith CR®, Lithobid®) is a medication that is used to treat bipolar disorder, a condition also known as manic depression. As with all medicines, it is possible for a person to take too much lithium. The specific effects of a lithium overdose will vary, depending on a number of factors, including the lithium dosage that was taken and whether it was taken with other medications, street drugs, or alcohol.
 

Symptoms of a Lithium Overdose

If a person overdoses on lithium, the symptoms can also vary. Some commonly reported symptoms of a lithium overdose include:
 
  • Mild shakiness, especially in the hands
  • Thirst
  • Increased or frequent urination
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Drowsiness
  • Muscle weakness
  • Coordination problems
  • Giddiness
  • Blurred vision
  • Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
  • Severe shakiness
  • Seizures.
 

Treatment for a Lithium Overdose

The treatment for a lithium overdose will also vary, depending on when the overdose was taken and its severity. If the overdose was recent, the healthcare provider may use certain medicines or place a tube into the stomach to "pump the stomach." Once the drug has been absorbed into the body, dialysis may be helpful in cases of severe overdose. In these cases, treatment typically involves supportive care, which consists of treating the symptoms that occur as a result of the overdose. For example, supportive treatment options may include:
 
  • Fluids through an intravenous line (IV)
  • Other treatments based on the complications that occur.
     
It is important that you seek medical attention immediately if you believe that you may have overdosed on lithium.
Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;