SEVERE HYPOTENSION ASSOCIATED WITH COMBINED LITHIUM AND CHLORPROMAZINE THERAPY - A CASE-REPORT AND A REVIEW

The case of a patient who developed a severe hypotensive reaction with a persistent hemianaesthesia following the addition of lithium carbon ate to her treatment regimen is described. The patient had been receiv ing chlorpromazine therapy for the management of hypomania and the add ition of lithium carbonate to the chlorpromazine produced a severe hyp otensive episode which compromised her neurological functioning. Only three doses of lithium carbonate had actually been taken by the patien t. This type of hypotensive response associated with the simultaneous use of chlorpromazine and lithium has not previously been noted in the literature.