This document discusses therapeutic drug monitoring of lithium, which is used to treat acute mania and bipolar disorder. It outlines the optimal plasma concentration ranges for treatment of mania and prophylaxis, as well as toxic concentration ranges that can cause side effects like renal impairment. TDM is essential for lithium due to its narrow therapeutic index and many drug and disease interactions that influence lithium concentrations. Proper sampling time and monitoring of both lithium levels and clinical response are important for safe and effective treatment.

1. TDM OF DRUGS USED
IN PSYCHIATRIC
CONDITION
DR. RAMESH BHANDARI
ASST. PROFESSOR
DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACY PRACTICE
KLE COLLEGE OF PHARMACY, BELAGAVI

2. Dr.
Ramesh
Bhandari
TDM OF LITHIUM
 Lithium is used in the treatment of acute mania and in the
prophylaxis of manic depression.
The mechanism of action is not fully understood, but it is thought
that it may substitute for sodium or potassium in the CNS.
Lithium is toxic producing dose-dependent and dose-independent
side effects.
Hence, TDM of lithium is essential in assisting in management of
the dosage.

3. Dr.
Ramesh
Bhandari
Dose dependent effects
The plasma concentration-response relationship derived on the basis of the
12-hour standardised lithium level:
 <0.4 mmol/L: little therapeutic effect
 0.4-1.0 mmol/L: optimum range for prophylaxis
 0.8-1.2 mmol/L: Optimum range for acute mania
 1.2-1.5 mmol/L: Causes renal impairment
 1.5-3.0 mmol/L: Causes renal impairment, ataxia, weakness, drowsiness,
thirst, diarrhoea
 >3.0 mmol/L: Causes confusion, spasticity, dehydration, convulsions, coma,
death (>3.5 mmol/L: Medical emergency)

4. Dr.
Ramesh
Bhandari
Dose Independent effects
It includes tremor, hypothyroidism, nephrogenic
diabetes insipidus, GI upset, loss in bone density,
weight gain and lethargy.

5. Dr.
Ramesh
Bhandari
General pharmacokinetics of LITHIUM
Distribution: Unevenly distributed through out the
body, with a Vd of 0.7L/Kg. It follows 2
compartmental model with a distribution time of 8
hours.
Elimination: Excreted unchanged by Kidney.
Lithium clearance is approx. 25% of CrCl due to
reabsorption in the renal tubules.

6. Dr.
Ramesh
Bhandari
General pharmacokinetics of LITHIUM
Elimination:
Changes in renal function, dehydration, diuretics,
ACEI and NSAIDs all decreases lithium clearance.
Aminophylline and sodium loading increase
lithium clearance.
Lithium half life: 8-35 hours (18 hours)
Lithium clearance shows diurnal variation.

7. Dr.
Ramesh
Bhandari
INDICATION FOR TDM OF LITHIUM
Confirmation of toxicity
Assessing the effect of factors altering
pharmacokinetics
Therapeutic efficacy
Medication Compliance

8. Dr.
Ramesh
Bhandari
Appropriate Sampling Time
 Blood samples should be drawn 12 hours after the evening dose,
because this will allow for distribution and represent the slowest
excretion rate.
In general, lithium concentration should be determined 3-7 days
after therapy has started.
In acute mania, initial 12 hour lithium concentration is monitored
once or twice weekly until the desired therapeutic concentration
achieved.

9. Dr.
Ramesh
Bhandari
PHARMACODYNAMIC MONITORING
 Manic Symptoms:
1–3 weeks
Decrease in pressured speech
Decreases in hostile or assaultive behaviors
2–3 weeks
Improved thought pattern disturbances
2–4 weeks
Increased attention to appearance or hygiene
1–2 months
Less grandiosity Less irritability
Depressive Symptoms:
2–4 weeks
Improved motor and mental activities Improved sleep pattern
Decrease in any psychotic features
1–2 months Improved mood

10. Dr.
Ramesh
Bhandari
CONCENTRATION RELATED TOXICITY
 Toxicity occurs with 12-hour trough concentration >1.5 mEq/L.
Whereas side effects may occurs at therapeutic concentration.
 Mild and transient effects such as fine tremor, nausea, diarrhoea, muscle
weakness, polyuria, and polydipsia can be seen at concentrations of less
than or equal to 1.5 mEq/L.
 Moderate toxicity usually occurs at concentrations of 1.5 to 2.5 mEq/L.
 severe toxicities observed at trough concentrations greater than 2.5
mEq/L.
 Concentrations above 3–3.5 mEq/L are usually considered life
threatening.

11. Dr.
Ramesh
Bhandari
DRUG-DRUG INTERACTION
 A number of lithium drug–drug interactions are associated with effects on fluid
and/or sodium balance, thus, GFR and sodium excretion are of particular importance.
 Drugs causing a decrease in GFR or a compensatory increase in sodium
reabsorption result in reduced lithium clearance and elevated lithium concentrations.
DRUG AFFECTED PARAMETER ADJUSTMENT FACTOR
Thiazide Diuretics Renal Clearance 0.32-0.74
Theophylline Renal Clearance 1.21
Sodium containing IV Fluids Renal Clearance 1.2
NSAIDs Renal Clearance 0.33-1
ACEI Renal Clearance 0.87 (<50 yrs) 0.69 (>50 yrs)

12. Dr.
Ramesh
Bhandari
DOSING STRATEGIES FOR LITHIUM
 Dosage prediction using the traditional Pharmacokinetic method:
D = CL x t x CSSav / S x F
Where, D = dose (mEq)
CL= clearance of lithium (L/hour)
t = dosing interval (hour)
CSSav = average steady state concentration (mEq/L)
F = fraction absorbed (90%)
S= Salt form (1)
Then dose is converted to mEq to mg.
Dosage prediction by lithium clearance estimation:
ClLi = 0.235 x CrCl

13. Dr.
Ramesh
Bhandari
Treatment Initiation and Monitoring for
Patients Receiving Lithium
Follow-up 12 hour lithium concentration and clinical response
Good response adequate concentration
Response questionable or toxicity or lack of
response
Select lithium dose, dosage form, and interval for target concentration
Estimate lithium clearance
Calculate creatinine clearance
Continue to monitor periodically Adjust lithium dose proportionately