Elevated blood lithium concentration following concomitant lithium and propranolol therapy: A case report

Abstract

Lithium is used in the treatment for many psychiatric disorders, like bipolar d isorder, schizoaffective disorder and depression. Lithium has a very narrow therapeutic range and there are many reasons that increase the blood levels of lithium. Combining lithium with other medications with the aim of reducing side effects or supporting the therapy may result in substantial elevations in lithium concentrations and may lead to signs of intoxication. This study presents increased blood lithium concentration after the initiation of the concomitant therapy of lithium and propranolol, which is a beta-blocker drug, due to the complaint of tremor causing functional impairment.