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Updated: Jan 30, 2026
11:18
Direct Drug Delivery to Kidney via the Renal Artery
Published on: April 17, 2021
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[Renal toxicity of lithium]
1Service de néphrologie adulte, hôpital Necker, université Paris Descartes, 149, rue de Sèvres, 75015 Paris, France.
Nephrologie & Therapeutique
|January 20, 2019
Summary
Lithium treatment can cause kidney damage, including reduced concentrating ability and chronic renal failure, particularly with long-term use. Managing lithium therapy requires careful monitoring of renal function and psychiatric status.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Lithium is an effective mood stabilizer but has a narrow therapeutic index, leading to potential toxicity.
- Renal toxicity is a significant concern, manifesting as decreased renal concentrating ability and chronic renal failure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the renal toxicity associated with lithium treatment.
- To highlight the prevalence and risk factors for lithium-induced nephrotoxicity.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on lithium and renal function.
- Analysis of reported cases of lithium-induced renal toxicity.
Main Results:
- Lithium-induced polyuria affects up to 40% of patients, often early in treatment, and can be irreversible.
- Chronic renal failure occurs in approximately 12% of patients after 19 years of lithium use, with end-stage renal disease in 0.5%.
- Duration of lithium exposure is the primary risk factor for renal damage.
Conclusions:
- Long-term lithium therapy poses a significant risk of irreversible renal damage.
- Discontinuation of lithium in patients with renal failure necessitates a multidisciplinary approach considering psychiatric stability and renal function.
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