IN-VITRO BINDING OF LITHIUM USING THE CATION-EXCHANGE RESIN SODIUM POLYSTYRENE SULFONATE

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate, a cation exchange resin, should be usefu l in the treatment of lithium overdosage. This in vitro study was cond ucted to assess the ability of sodium polystyrene sulfonate to bind li thium, effects of pH on binding, binding efficacy in comparison to cha rcoal, and affinity for lithium versus potassium. Stock solutions of l ithium were added to fixed amounts of sodium polystyrene sulfonate and charcoal. Lithium and potassium concentrations in supernatant were me asured by flame photometry. Increasing concentrations of sodium polyst yrene sulfonate bound more lithium. Changes in pH had little effect on lithium binding. Lithium is bound to sodium polystyrene sulfonate mor e readily than to charcoal. Potassium is preferentially hound to sodiu m polystyrene sulfonate over lithium. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate may provide a useful therapeutic modality in the treatment of lithium ove rdosage. Copyright (C) 1995 by W.B. Saunders Company