SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS - USE OF LITHIUM IN CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS, ANDELDERLY POPULATIONS

Certain populations of patients require special considerations when li thium is prescribed. Children and adolescents have higher volumes of b ody water and more active renal glomerular filtration rates than adult s. Their central nervous system is developing and therefore is vulnera ble to the impact of substances, including medications such as Lithium , that can cause side effects or adverse events. Elderly patients have less body water, slower metabolism, and often comorbid illnesses, so they also require close evaluation and monitoring when prescribed lith ium. This paper examines the indications for, pharmacokinetics of, cli nical uses of, and side effects of lithium in children, adolescents, a nd the elderly. Use of alternate mood stabilizers is also addressed br iefly.