The use of sodium and potassium to reduce toxicity and toxic side effects from lithium

Studies in rats find that the animals develop toxic side effects at serum levels which are therapeutic for man. Most of the toxic effects were prevented by feeding sodium and potassium. The rats must ingest and excrete comparatively higher amounts of lithium than humans to maintain these levels. Sodium used alone has been shown to reduce side effects in man, but was found to reduce therapeutic effectiveness at fixed lithium dosages. Evidence is presented to suggest that therapeutic effectiveness can be maintained and toxic side effects and risk of toxicity reduced, by using both sodium and potassium, and by modestly raising the dosage of lithium.