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Side effects at therapeutic concentrations

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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Common side effects include hand tremor, muscular weakness, nausea, polydipsia, polyuria, weight gain and oedema.

These are not usually dangerous, but may indicate the beginning of the toxic syndrome.

  • tremor is very common.
  • thyroid enlargement, hypothyroidism, ECG changes and EEG changes, nephrogenic diabetes-insipidus and depletion of calcium from bone may also take place. Long-term lithium treatment is associated with persistent hyperparathyroidism and hypercalcaemia (1).
  • patient may complain of a metallic taste in the mouth during lithium treatment.
  • skin rashes may occur.

Reference:

  1. Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin 1999; 37 (3): 22-24.

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