Lithium intoxication: a report of two cases

Two cases of toxic reaction to lithium carbonate are reported. The first patient displayed symptoms resembling those of organic brain syndrome which was not associated with a high serum lithium level. The influence of diuretic therapy in combination with lithium is felt to enhance the risk of intoxication. The second case depicts acute CNS toxicity with known fatal potential. Conservative lithium administration is recommended for acute manic psychosis and reference is made to the beneficial effects of urea and aminophylline on renal lithium elimination in the active treatment of lithium poisoning.