A client with a new diagnosis of bipolar disorder is prescribed lithium carbonate. in light of the information shown, what teaching should the nurse provide to the client? select all that apply.

The occurrence and severity of adverse reactions are generally directly related to serum lithium concentrations as well as to individual patient sensitivity to lithium, and generally occur more frequently and with greater severity at higher concentrations.

Adverse reactions may be encountered at serum lithium levels below 1.5 mEq/L. Mild to moderate adverse reactions may occur at levels from 1.5 to 2.5 mEq/L, and moderate to severe reactions may be seen at levels of 2.0 mEq/L and above.

Fine hand tremor, polyuria, and mild thirst may occur during initial therapy for the acute manic phase, and may persist throughout treatment. Transient and mild nausea and general discomfort may also appear during the first few days of lithium administration.

These side effects usually subside with continued treatment or a temporary reduction or cessation of dosage. If persistent, cessation of lithium therapy may be required.

Diarrhea, vomiting, drowsiness, muscular weakness, and lack of coordination may be early signs of lithium intoxication, and can occur at lithium levels below 2.0 mEq/L. At higher levels, ataxia, giddiness, tinnitus, blurred vision, and a large output of dilute urine may be seen. Serum lithium levels above 3.0 mEq/L may produce a complex clinical picture, involving multiple organs and organ systems. Serum lithium levels should not be permitted to exceed 2.0 mEq/L during the acute treatment phase.

The following reactions have been reported and appear to be related to serum lithium levels, including levels within the therapeutic range:

Neuromuscular/Central Nervous System: Tremor, muscle hyperirritability (fasciculations, twitching, clonic movements of whole limbs), hypertonicity, ataxia, choreo-athetotic movements, hyperactive deep tendon reflex, extrapyramidal symptoms including acute dystonia, cogwheel rigidity, blackout spells, epileptiform seizures, slurred speech, dizziness, vertigo, downbeat nystagmus, incontinence of urine or feces, somnolence, psychomotor retardation, restlessness, confusion, stupor, coma, tongue movements, tics, tinnitus, hallucinations, poor memory, slowed intellectual functioning, startled response, worsening of organic brain syndromes, myasthenia gravis (rarely).

Cardiovascular: Cardiac arrhythmia, hypotension, peripheral circulatory collapse, bradycardia, sinus node dysfunction with severe bradycardia (which may result in syncope).

Gastrointestinal: Anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gastritis, salivary gland swelling, abdominal pain, excessive salivation, flatulence, indigestion.

Genitourinary: Glycosuria, decreased creatinine clearance, albuminuria, oliguria, and symptoms of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus including polyuria, thirst and polydipsia.

Dermatologic: Drying and thinning of hair, alopecia, anesthesia of skin, acne, chronic folliculitis, xerosis cutis, psoriasis or its exacerbation, generalized pruritus with or without rash, cutaneous ulcers, angioedema.

Autonomic: Blurred vision, dry mouth, impotence/sexual dysfunction.

Thyroid Abnormalities: Euthyroid goiter and/or hypothyroidism (including myxedema) accompanied by lower T3 and T4. I131 uptake may be elevated. (See PRECAUTIONS.) Paradoxically, rare cases of hyperthyroidism have been reported.

EEG Changes: Diffuse slowing, widening of the frequency spectrum, potentiation and disorganization of background rhythm.

EKG Changes: Reversible flattening, isoelectricity or inversion of T-waves. Miscellaneous: Fatigue, lethargy, transient scotomata, exophthalmos, dehydration, weight loss, leukocytosis, headache, transient hyperglycemia, hypercalcemia, hyperparathyroidism, excessive weight gain, edematous swelling of ankles or wrists, metallic taste, dysgeusia/taste distortion, salty taste, thirst, swollen lips, tightness in chest, swollen and/or painful joints, fever, polyarthralgia, dental caries.

Some reports of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, hyperparathyroidism, and hypothyroidism which persist after lithium discontinuation have been received.

A few reports have been received of the development of painful discoloration of fingers and toes and coldness of the extremities within one day of the starting of treatment with lithium. The mechanism through which these symptoms (resembling Raynaud's syndrome) developed is not known. Recovery followed discontinuance.

Cases of pseudotumor cerebri (increased intracranial pressure and papilledema) have been reported with lithium use. If undetected, this condition may result in enlargement of the blind spot, constriction of visual fields, and eventual blindness due to optic atrophy. Lithium should be discontinued, if clinically possible, if this syndrome occurs.

Bipolar affective disorder or manic -depressive psychosis (MDP) is a mood disorder affecting 2.4% of the global population . Lithium is considered as the "gold standard" for the treatment of bipolar disorder but the clinical use of lithium is often restricted due to its narrow therapeutic range and adverse effects.

In a published case report, Bleiwiss H found that sodium chloride supplementation diminished the adverse effects caused by lithium The literature search also revealed that till date, there is no published clinical study evaluating the effect of dietary intake of sodium in preventing the fluctuations of serum lithium level and lithium toxicity Therefore, a randomized clinical trial has been designed to evaluate the effect of regulated add -on dietary sodium chloride on serum lithium levels in bipolar disorder.

Condition or disease	Intervention/treatment	Phase
Bipolar Affective Disorder	Drug: Lithium Carbonate Drug: Sodium chloride	Phase 4

Bipolar affective disorder or manic -depressive psychosis (MDP) is a mood disorder affecting 2.4% of the global population. Lithium is considered as the "gold standard" for the treatment of bipolar disorder but the clinical use of lithium is often restricted due to its narrow therapeutic range and adverse effects.One of the major adverse effects of lithium is nephrogenic diabetes insipidus which is due to long -term renal dysfunction.

In the initial months of lithium therapy, psychiatrists face difficulty in titrating the dose and stabilizing serum lithium level and this fluctuation of serum lithium level may be due to a lithium-induced sodium depleted state.

In a published case report, Bleiwiss H found that sodium chloride supplementation diminished the adverse effects caused by lithium. 8 In another case report, Tomita et al demonstrated that the change in sodium chloride intake can bring about changes in serum lithium and help in stabilizing the levels of serum lithium concentration.

As all the case reports are from abroad, the effect of dietary sodium on serum lithium level among Indian population is completely unknown. The literature search also revealed that till date, there is no published clinical study evaluating the effect of dietary intake of sodium in preventing the fluctuations of serum lithium level and lithium toxicity. Therefore, a randomized clinical trial has been designed to evaluate the effect of regulated add -on dietary sodium chloride on serum lithium levels in bipolar disorder. This study may help to explore the role of add -on sodium chloride in decreasing the fluctuations in the serum lithium level and improving the clinical outcome of patients with bipolar disorders.

Arm	Intervention/treatment
Active Comparator: Lithium carbonate Lithium carbonate is prescribed 800-900 mg per day for 12 weeks.	Drug: Lithium Carbonate Lithium carbonate 800-900 mg orally daily for 12 weeks
Experimental: Add-on Sodium chloride Sodium chloride 1gm per day per will be prescribed along with Lithium carbonate 800-900 mg per day for 12 weeks.	Drug: Lithium Carbonate Lithium carbonate 800-900 mg orally daily for 12 weeks Drug: Sodium chloride Sodium chloride 1gm daily per orally for 12 weeks

Primary Outcome Measures :

1. Difference in percentage of bipolar patients showing fluctuation in serum lithium level [ Time Frame: 12 weeks ]

   Serum lithium level will be done by electrolyte analyzer. The patients showing fluctuations ( fluctuation is defined as serum lithium <0.6 mEq/ L or >0.8 mEq/ L in maintenance phase) in serum lithium level between the groups over 12 weeks.

   
   

Secondary Outcome Measures :

1. Serum sodium [ Time Frame: 12 weeks ]

   Will be done by electrolyte analyzer.

   
   
2. Serum Potassium [ Time Frame: 12 weeks ]

   Will be done by electrolyte analyzer.

   
   
3. Serum creatinine [ Time Frame: 12 weeks ]

   Will be done by autoanalyser.

   
   
4. Serum aldosterone [ Time Frame: 12 weeks ]

   Will be done by commercially available ELISA kit.

   
   
5. ECG changes [ Time Frame: 12 weeks ]

   ECG changes for lithium toxicity (T wave inversion, PR prolongation, QT prolongation), hyponatremia (P wave alterations), hypernatremia (short PR interval and diffuse ST depression) will be looked for

   
   
6. Serum Lithium [ Time Frame: 12 weeks ]

   Will be done by electrolyte analyzer.

   
   

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients aged 18 -60 years, of either sex with the clinical diagnosis of bipolar disorder (DSM V) who are on maintenance lithium therapy for ≥ 1month and ≤ 6 months.
• Patients with normal serum sodium level (135 -145 mEq/L) and serum lithium in the optimum therapeutic range (<0.6 mEq/ L or >0.8 mEq/ L) .

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with comorbidities like other psychiatric disorder s, organicity, substance abuse, personality disorder, intellectual disability and other neurotic disorders .
• Patients with any renal, cardiovascular, neurologica l, endocrinal and hepatic dysfunction.
• Patients suffering from diarrhoea, dehydration
• History of any invasive neurosurgical/ non -invasive neuropsychiatric procedure.
• Medication history of psychoactive or central nervous system depressant drugs.
• Patients who are on NSAIDs, ACE inhibitors, antiarrhythmics, diuretics and neuromuscular blocking agents .
• Pregnant and nursing women .
• Patients with drug/alcohol abuse.

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India
Aiims Bhubaneswar
Khorda, Orissa, India, 751019

All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar

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Study Director:	DEBASISH HOTA, DM	PROFESSOR AND HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT

Publications:

Merikangas KR, Jin R, He JP, Kessler RC, Lee S, Sampson NA, Viana MC, Andrade LH, Hu C, Karam EG, Ladea M, Medina-Mora ME, Ono Y, Posada-Villa J, Sagar R, Wells JE, Zarkov Z. Prevalence and correlates of bipolar spectrum disorder in the world mental health survey initiative. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2011 Mar;68(3):241-51. doi: 10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2011.12.

Kessler RC, Ormel J, Petukhova M, McLaughlin KA, Green JG, Russo LJ, Stein DJ, Zaslavsky AM, Aguilar-Gaxiola S, Alonso J, Andrade L, Benjet C, de Girolamo G, de Graaf R, Demyttenaere K, Fayyad J, Haro JM, Hu Cy, Karam A, Lee S, Lepine JP, Matchsinger H, Mihaescu-Pintia C, Posada-Villa J, Sagar R, Ustün TB. Development of lifetime comorbidity in the World Health Organization world mental health surveys. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2011 Jan;68(1):90-100. doi: 10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2010.180.

Keywords provided by RITUPARNA MAITI, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar:

Additional relevant MeSH terms:

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Disease Bipolar Disorder Mood Disorders Pathologic Processes Bipolar and Related Disorders Mental Disorders Lithium Carbonate Antidepressive Agents	Psychotropic Drugs Enzyme Inhibitors Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action Antimanic Agents Tranquilizing Agents Central Nervous System Depressants Physiological Effects of Drugs