Psychiatry Education Forum Academy › Forums › Forum Discussions › alcohol and lithium › Reply To: alcohol and lithium
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Here is what I will recommend but let’s hear others’ recommendations as well.
I will motivate the patient to not drink with lithium as the risk is high. If the patient is still drinking: aim for low alcohol (no specific amount is listed in literature) and maintain their hydration. If the patient has a history of alcohol use disorder or other addiction behaviors: I will not recommend even a low amount as the risk of them drinking more is high.
Here is the summary of lithium & alcohol interaction:
- Acute alcohol does not affect lithium absorption, elimination, distribution, or clearance, but alcohol can increase serum lithium concentrations when taken with alcohol. (1)
- Another concern is increased alcohol use induced diuresis by antagonizing ADH, which can indirectly place a patient at risk of high lithium levels.
Reference:
- Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1985 Jul;38(1):52-5.