ARE THE RENAL EFFECTS OF LITHIUM MODIFIED BY FREQUENCY OF ADMINISTRATION

It has been claimed that the unwanted effects and toxicity of lithium can be minimized by changes in the dosing schedules. Twenty consecutiv e psychiatrically stable patients were investigated in a cross-over st udy to determine whether renal function and other biochemical tests ch ange significantly with changes from once to twice or multiple doses p er day or vice versa. There were no significant differences between th e 3 study conditions on the mood rating scales or a side effect scale (UKU). Urine volume, test of renal function and other biochemical and hematological indices were similar in all study conditions. We thus co nclude that dosing strategy does not consistently affect renal functio n in lithium-treated patients.