LITHIUM-THERAPY IN PRACTICE - FORMULATION, ABSORPTION, AND THE PHARMACOKINETICS OF LITHIUM

Lithium may be administered to patients using a variety of different p reparations some of which have been promoted on the grounds of increas ed acceptability or reduced side effects. We have studied some of thes e preparations and conclude that there is little clinical advantage in the use of 'delayed release' formulations. We have studied a number o f factors which may affect the rate of absorption and conclude that th ere is significant inter-individual variation which is itself more imp ortant than the choice of formulation.