[Polyuria and polydipsia due to renal diabetes insipidus during the use of lithium]

Polyuria, thirst and polydipsia due to renal diabetes insipidus (RDI) are common side effects of long-term lithium treatment. In a man aged 56 years, the polyuria could be reduced considerably by diuretics. However, as shown in the case of a 49-year-old man, such treatment carries the risk of acute lithium intoxication due to volume depletion and reduced renal lithium clearance. A reduction in the dose of lithium prior to diuretic treatment is therefore mandatory. Although polyuria and polydipsia are generally mainly a nuisance, the condition may become life-threatening when free access to fluids is impossible. This is demonstrated by the case of a 46-year-old man who was on chronic lithium treatment with probable RDI and who developed fatal severe dehydration and hypernatraemia after traumatic brain injury. Awareness of the possibility of RDI in patients on chronic lithium treatment is therefore important.