The question of lithium/neuroleptic toxicity

The question of lithium-haloperidol incompatibility has been debated for a number of years now. The difficulty remains in distinguishing a combined toxicity syndrome, rather than toxicity to either agent alone. The authors reviewed a further case of adverse drug response following the concomitant use of lithium and haloperidol. It is their conclusion that a combined toxicity syndrome does exist, although it remains for future investigations to determine whether this effect is additive or synergistic. Finally, the possibility of underlying organic susceptibility is raised with reference to the case presented here.