Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 5, 2025
10:17
The Tail Suspension Test
Published on: January 28, 2012
81.7K
[Lithium Withdrawal Symptoms - A Systematic Review].
Stefan Gutwinski1,2, Lea Fierley1, Stefanie Schreiter1
1Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Berlin, Deutschland.
Psychiatrische Praxis
|May 20, 2021
Summary
Lithium discontinuation can cause withdrawal symptoms, including irritability and dizziness, typically mild and resolving within weeks. Further research is needed to understand predictors and prevention strategies for these lithium withdrawal syndromes.
Area of Science:
- Psychopharmacology
- Neuroscience
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Systematic assessment of lithium withdrawal symptoms is lacking.
- Understanding discontinuation syndromes is crucial for patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review reported withdrawal symptoms after lithium discontinuation.
- To consolidate existing evidence on lithium withdrawal.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a systematic literature search of PubMed and reference lists.
- Included clinical trials and case reports to identify relevant studies.
- Analyzed six studies (six trials, one case series) meeting inclusion criteria.
Main Results:
- Four trials and three case reports indicate a lithium withdrawal syndrome.
- Common symptoms include irritability, restlessness, vertigo, dizziness, and lightheadedness.
- Symptoms generally appear within the first week and are mild and self-limiting.
Conclusions:
- Evidence suggests lithium withdrawal symptoms can occur after treatment cessation.
- Controlled studies are needed to identify predictors and prevention strategies for lithium discontinuation syndromes.
