Lithium is a prescription medication widely prescribed for mental health conditions, such as bipolar and schizoaffective disorders, to disrupt neurotransmitter activity in the brain and stabilize mood.

Despite its effectiveness, lithium carries significant risks if not prescribed, dosed, or monitored correctly. Improper management can result in lithium toxicity, a potentially life-threatening accumulation of lithium that can result in dangerous conditions affecting the kidneys, nervous system, and other vital organs.

What Is Lithium Toxicity?

Lithium is absorbed through the gastrointestinal system and distributed throughout the body. The drug is not naturally metabolized, requiring excretion through the kidneys. If the kidneys fail to function properly, lithium can accumulate, leading to lithium toxicity and can cause severe and potentially fatal complications if untreated. Lithium toxicity is categorized into three types, which includes:

• Chronic Toxicity: Develops gradually when the kidneys become less effective in eliminating lithium, typically due to prolonged use or inadequate monitoring.
• Acute Toxicity: Rapid increase of lithium levels due to consumption of large doses in a short period that reduces the body’s ability to eliminate the drug and causes severe symptoms.
• Acute-On-Chronic Toxicity: The most severe type, caused by a sudden and rapid increase in lithium levels in conjunction with an existing buildup due to factors such as dehydration, illness, or drug interactions. Without immediate treatment, this condition can lead to critical complications, including seizures, kidney failure, or cardiac arrhythmia.

What Are the Symptoms of Lithium Toxicity?

Symptoms of lithium toxicity range from mild to life-threatening, depending on how long the drug has accumulated in the body and the level of severity. Common symptoms include:

• Agitation or restlessness
• Coma or loss of consciousness
• Confusion or difficulty concentrating]
• Dehydration
• Fatigue or weakness
• Low blood pressure
• Nausea and vomiting
• Organ failure, particularly kidneys
• Persistent diarrhea
• Increased muscle weakness or stiffness
• Unsteady movements (ataxia), making walking or standing difficult
• Seizures
• Severe confusion or delirium
• Significant mental fog or disorientation
• Slurred or slowed speech
• Tremors or shaking

Lithium toxicity is a dangerous condition requiring emergency medical intervention and typically lifelong care. If undetected or untreated, lithium toxicity can result in serious injuries, such as loss of kidney function, extremely low blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias, kidney disease, peripheral neuropathy, movement disorders, coma, and death.

Are Some Patients at Higher Risk of Lithium Toxicity?

Several factors can increase the risk of lithium toxicity, even when patients follow instructions and medication is taken as directed, such as:

• Illness: Conditions or illnesses affecting hydration, kidney function, and the body’s ability to properly metabolize lithium.
• Age: Older adults are at higher risk due to decreased kidney function or adverse drug interactions.
• Dehydration: Lack of hydration prohibits the proper excretion of lithium.
• Diet: Abrupt dietary changes can impact lithium levels and cause retention and toxicity.
• Drug Interactions: Medications, such as NSAIDS or ACE inhibitors, interfere with lithium levels and excretion.
• Kidneys: Reduced kidney function causes toxic levels of lithium accumulation.
• Dosage: Improper dosages or accidental overdose leads to excess lithium, causing toxicity.
• Monitoring: Improper monitoring increases the risk of undetected toxicity.

How Is Lithium Toxicity Caused by Medical Malpractice?

When healthcare providers fail to provide a proper standard of care for patients taking lithium, they put patients in danger of developing lithium toxicity. When a patient sustains injuries, the professional’s actions or inactions are considered medical malpractice, which may include:

• Failing to monitor patients and perform regular blood tests to ensure lithium levels remain within a safe range.
• Prescribing incorrect dosages, particularly for at-risk populations, such as the elderly or those with kidney problems.
• Overlooking dangerous interactions with the patient’s other medications, such as diuretics or NSAIDs, which increase the risk of elevated lithium levels.
• Ignoring symptoms such as tremors, confusion, gastrointestinal or kidney problems.
• Failure to share information regarding a patient’s lithium therapy with other medical professionals involved in the patient’s care, such as prescription history, lab results, or changes in kidney function.
• Failing to adjust dosages during periods of illness or for factors such as age, weight, kidney function, and hydration levels.
• Delayed or incorrect diagnosis, preventing timely treatment and causing further harm.
• Failing to educate patients on recognizing toxicity symptoms, avoiding certain medications, or maintaining proper hydration to prevent complications.
• Lab testing errors, such as incorrect readings of lithium levels, failure to report critical results, or delays in processing blood tests, which can lead to inappropriate decisions regarding a patient’s care.
• Failing to administer necessary emergency treatment interventions, such as intravenous fluids or dialysis, leading to permanent damage.

What Is the Treatment for Lithium Toxicity?

Healthcare professionals diagnose lithium toxicity by regularly testing a patient’s blood for elevated lithium levels and assessing kidney function, along with evaluating the patient’s physical and neurological symptoms. Treatment options vary, depending on the patient’s symptoms and level of toxicity, and include:

• Discontinuing lithium to prevent further toxicity.
• Flushing excess lithium and correct electrolyte imbalance with intravenous (IV) fluid.
• Rapidly removing lithium in the bloodstream through hemodialysis for patients with kidney dysfunction.
• Prescribing other medications to address symptoms such as seizures, tremors, or cardiac arrhythmia.

If you suffer medical malpractice lithium toxicity, you are entitled to seek economic and non-economic damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.

Due to the complexities of medical malpractice and negligence laws involved in these types of cases, having an experienced lawyer is essential. At the Law Offices of Dr. Michael M. Wilson, M.D., J.D. & Associates, our legal team has a unique combination of both legal and medical training, giving us exceptional knowledge and experience in lithium toxicity and medical malpractice cases.

The Washington, D.C. Lithium Toxicity Lawyers at the Law Offices of Dr. Michael M. Wilson, M.D., J.D. & Associates Help Clients Injured by Medical Malpractice

If a medical professional’s negligence caused you injuries related to toxic lithium levels, the Washington, D.C. lithium toxicity lawyers at the Law Offices of Dr. Michael M. Wilson, M.D., J.D. & Associates can help. Call 202-223-4488 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Washington, D.C., we serve clients in the surrounding areas, including Northern Virginia and Maryland.