contraindications
Last reviewed 01/2018
Lithium should be used with caution in patients with the following conditions:
- renal disease
- thyroid disease
- heart disease
- epilepsy
- organic brain damage
Lithium should be avoided during pregnancy as there is an increased risk of foetal malformations.
The most important drug interaction of lithium is with sodium depleting drugs especially thiazides where significant lithium toxicity may occur. Other drugs such as NSAIDs, phenothiazines, carbamazepine, and phenytoin can also increase toxicity.