Print this page
 Email this page

 Connect with UMMC on:
 Twitter
 Facebook
 YouTube
iPhone

 Share this page:

Bookmark and Share

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Toggle: English / Spanish

 

Video details

[ Flash player icon ] Please install flash player to see this video.

Hospital Virtual Tour

Click to take a virtual tour

Related Content


 

Lithium toxicity - Symptom

Alternative Names

Eskalith toxicity; Lithane toxicity; Lithobid toxicity; Lithonate toxicity; Lithotabs toxicity

Symptoms:

ACUTE TOXICITY

After taking too much lithium you will have symptoms such as:

  • Diarrhea
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Stomach pains
  • Vomiting
  • Weakness

You may also have some of the following nervous system symptoms, depending on how much lithium you took:

  • Coma
  • Hand tremors
  • Incoordination of arms and legs (ataxia)
  • Muscle twitches
  • Seizures
  • Slurred speech
  • Uncontrollable eye movement (nystagmus)

Heart problems may occur in rare cases.

CHRONIC TOXICITY

You will likely not have any gastrointestinal symptoms. Symptoms that may occur include:

  • Increased reflexes
  • Slurred speech
  • Tremors

In severe cases, you may also have nervous system and kidney problems such as:

  • Kidney failure
  • Memory problems
  • Movement disorders
  • Problems keeping salts in your body
  • Psychosis

ACUTE ON CHRONIC TOXICITY

You will likely get some gastrointestinal symptoms and many of the severe nervous system symptoms listed above.

  • Reviewed last on: 2/6/2009
  • A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Greg Juhn, MTPW, David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (1/25/2008).

References

Goldfrank LR, Flomenbaum NE, Lewin NA, et al. Goldfrank's Toxicologic Emergencies. 7th ed. New York, NY: McGraw Hill; 2002.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
adam.com