Posted by Toby on August 19, 1998, at 10:24:21
In reply to Eskalith and alcohol, posted by David on August 15, 1998, at 0:57:48
Alcohol increases the blood level of lithium in part due to direct effects on the blood and in part due to dehydration. Since you've been reading about it, you already know the dangers of lithium toxicity.
If you are taking the lithium for bipolar disorder rather than to augment an antidepressant, you need to know that moderate amounts of alcohol can trigger hypomania and large quantities can cause depression. In bipolar alcoholic patients, lithium may reduce alcohol consumption by controlling mania, but won't do much for depression (need an antidepressant for that).
poster:Toby
thread:307
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990301/msgs/325.html