MUTAGENICITY, CARCINOGENICITY AND TERATOGENICITY OF LITHIUM COMPOUNDS

This paper reviews the information available concerning the mutagenic, teratogenic and carcinogenic effects of lithium. Such effects would b e highly unlikely in an occupational setting but might be a risk to th e considerable percentage of the population treated for manic-depressi ve disorders. It is concluded that lithium compounds have no significa nt clastogenic and, based on studies on microorganisms, only a doubtfu l mutagenic activity. Information on teratogenic effects is contradict ory. While some observations in man and a few animal studies suggest t hat lithium in concentrations in the order of those given to patients may cause malformations, other observations do not support this claim and the risk with a carefully controlled therapy is probably small. Un til more information becomes available from ongoing lithium data regis tries, it is probably prudent to exercise caution in treating pregnant women with lithium during the period of cardiac organogenesis. No inf ormation is available on cancer caused by treatment with lithium, and it is highly unlikely that lithium is carcinogenic.