Interactions can arise as a result of increasing or decreasing the concentration of lithium, or, through other mechanisms, the most important of which is the neurotoxicity that can occur with therapeutic concentrations of lithium in the case of co-administration with other drugs that are centrally acting on CNS.
Interactions leading to increased serum lithium concentrations
Co-administration of the following drugs may increase the concentration of lithium and the risk of toxic effects:
Any drug that is capable of causing kidney failure can potentially increase the concentration of lithium, thus causing toxic effects. In case the use of the drug is strictly necessary, requires careful monitoring of the level of lithium in the blood and dose adjustment if necessary.
- Antibiotics (metronidazole, tetracycline, co-trimoxazole, trimethoprim). N.B. Symptoms of toxic effects can occur with low or normal lithium concentrations when co-trimoxazole or trimethoprim are co-administered. The toxic effect of lithium has been noted in individual cases in patients taking spectinomycin.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (including selective inhibitors of COX-2); in the case of initiation or discontinuation of therapy with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, more frequent monitoring of the serum lithium concentration is necessary.
- Medications that affect the renin-angiotensin system (ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor antagonists).
Diuretics (including herbal remedies). In addition to the above-mentioned types of exposure, thiazide diuretics demonstrate a paradoxical antidiuretic effect, as a result of which water retention and lithiation intoxication are possible. Loop diuretics (furosemide and bumeganid, ethacrynic acid) are less likely to cause lithium delay, however, care must be taken.
- Other drugs that affect the electrolyte balance, for example, steroids, can change the rate of lithium removal, and therefore it is necessary to avoid their joint application.
Interactions leading to a decrease in serum lithium concentration:
Co-administration of the following drugs may lead to a decrease in lithium concentration and a risk of decreased efficacy:
- The xanthine derivatives (for example, theophylline, caffeine);
- Preparations containing large amounts of sodium, for example bicarbonate sodium;
- Inhibitors of carbonic anhydrase;
- Urea.
Interactions that can be not associated with an increase or decrease in the concentration of lithium:
The joint administration of the following drugs may accelerate the appearance of symptoms of toxic effects at a lithium concentration within the normal range:
- Antipsychotic drugs, including atypical antipsychotics: high doses of olanzapine, clozapine, and haloperidol;
- Carbamazepine;
- Phenytoin;
- Methyldopa;
- Clonazepam;
- Tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants;
- Calcium channel blockers; These drugs can cause neurotoxic reactions in therapeutic doses;
- Neuromuscular blockers; Lithium can cause neurotoxic reactions in therapeutic doses.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors: co-administration with lithium can exacerbate serotonin syndrome. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including selective inhibitors of COX-2: at the beginning or discontinuation of treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, more frequent monitoring of serum lithium concentration is necessary.
Triptans: toxic effects of lithium,resembling a serotonin syndrome.
Neuromuscular blockers: lithium can prolong the action of neuromuscular blockers.
Drugs that reduce the convulsive threshold
It is advisable to use caution when co-prescribing lithium and drugs that reduce the convulsive threshold, such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, anesthetics and theophylline.
Drugs that extend the interval QT
Lithium can lengthen the interval QT, especially, with its increased concentration in the blood. Thus, it is necessary to avoid co-administration of drugs with a potential risk of lengthening the interval QT. and also take into account other potential risk factors, such as: old age, female sex. congenital elongated interval syndrome QT, diseases of the heart and thyroid and metabolic disorders such as hypokalemia, hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia.
The following drugs may cause lengthening of the interval QT and tachycardia such as "pirouette":
- Antiarrhythmic drugs class Ia (aymalin, cibenzoline, disopyramide, hydroquinidine, procainamide, quinidine);
- Antiarrhythmic drugs class III (amiodarone, azimilide, cibenzoline, dofetilidem, ibutilide. sotalol);
- Antipsychotic drugs (amisulpride, haloperidol, droperidol. mesoridazine, pimozide, sertindole, thioridazine and clozaril);
- Antibiotics (erythromycin, sparfloxacin with intravenous administration);
- Antagonists of serotonin receptors (kstapserin, dolasetron mesylate);
- Antihistamines (ascemisol, terfenadine);
- Antimalarial drugs (artemisinin derivatives, mefloquine, halofantrine);
- Other: arsenic trioxide, cisapride and ranolazine.
ECG monitoring should be performed after initiation of treatment; when the patient develops symptoms or changes in the course of the disease or therapy associated with an increased risk of interaction or arrhythmia.
Non-drug interactions:
- A diet low in sodium. Rapid reduction in sodium intake may cause an increase in lithium levels.
- Concomitant disease can cause lithium toxicity.