LITHIUM AND MEDICINE - INORGANIC PHARMACOLOGY

This chapter discusses the use of lithium in medicine. In the 40 years since lithium was introduced to psychiatry,; the drug has contributed much in social and economic terms to the relief of an illness that is disabling and that may result in death from suicide. Some patients have received the drug with no ill effects for more than 30 years. Lithium was first used medically for the treatment of gout. Lithium urate is the most soluble salt of uric acid and hence was expected to increase uric acid excretion to relieve gout symptoms. The major clinical application of lithium therapy is in the prevention of the major changes in mood (affect) that are characteristic of the affective disorders. The range of pharmacological and biochemical effects of lithium, even at low concentrations, is enormous, and this is a particular fascination. Prolonged lithium treatment in psychiatric patients is, however, extremely safe if well controlled. © 1991 Academic Press, Inc.