Fatal self-poisoning with lithium carbonate. 1975

M R Achong, and P G Fernandez, and P J McLeod

In a fatal case of self-poisoning with lithium carbonate there was a progressive increase in serum lithium concentration for 48 hours after ingestion of the overdose. It is suggested that the continuous increase in serum lithium concentration reflects prolonged absorption of lithium from relatively insoluble aggregates of lithium carbonate in the gastrointestinal tract. In this case there was an interval of 45 hours between ingestion of the overdose and the onset of central nervous system depression. Simultaneous peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis were effective in rapidly reducing the serum lithium concentration but there was little concomitant change in the patient's level of consciousness. The terminal event was a respiratory complication of the comatose state.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007677 Kidney Function Tests Laboratory tests used to evaluate how well the kidneys are working through examination of blood and urine. Function Test, Kidney,Function Tests, Kidney,Kidney Function Test,Test, Kidney Function,Tests, Kidney Function
D008094 Lithium An element in the alkali metals family. It has the atomic symbol Li, atomic number 3, and atomic weight [6.938; 6.997]. Salts of lithium are used in treating BIPOLAR DISORDER. Lithium-7,Lithium 7
D008297 Male Males
D011188 Potassium An element in the alkali group of metals with an atomic symbol K, atomic number 19, and atomic weight 39.10. It is the chief cation in the intracellular fluid of muscle and other cells. Potassium ion is a strong electrolyte that plays a significant role in the regulation of fluid volume and maintenance of the WATER-ELECTROLYTE BALANCE.
D001806 Blood Urea Nitrogen The urea concentration of the blood stated in terms of nitrogen content. Serum (plasma) urea nitrogen is approximately 12% higher than blood urea nitrogen concentration because of the greater protein content of red blood cells. Increases in blood or serum urea nitrogen are referred to as azotemia and may have prerenal, renal, or postrenal causes. (From Saunders Dictionary & Encyclopedia of Laboratory Medicine and Technology, 1984) BUN,Nitrogen, Blood Urea,Urea Nitrogen, Blood
D002254 Carbonates Salts or ions of the theoretical carbonic acid, containing the radical CO2(3-). Carbonates are readily decomposed by acids. The carbonates of the alkali metals are water-soluble; all others are insoluble. (From Grant & Hackh's Chemical Dictionary, 5th ed) Carbonate
D002746 Chlorpromazine The prototypical phenothiazine antipsychotic drug. Like the other drugs in this class chlorpromazine's antipsychotic actions are thought to be due to long-term adaptation by the brain to blocking DOPAMINE RECEPTORS. Chlorpromazine has several other actions and therapeutic uses, including as an antiemetic and in the treatment of intractable hiccup. Aminazine,Chlorazine,Chlordelazine,Chlorpromazine Hydrochloride,Contomin,Fenactil,Largactil,Propaphenin,Thorazine,Hydrochloride, Chlorpromazine
D005479 Flurazepam A benzodiazepine derivative used mainly as a hypnotic. Apo-Flurazepam,Dalmadorm,Dalmane,Dormodor,Flurazepam Dihydrochloride,Flurazepam Hydrochloride,Flurazepam Mono-Perchlorate,Flurazepam Monohydrochloride,Staurodorm,Apo Flurazepam,Dihydrochloride, Flurazepam,Flurazepam Mono Perchlorate,Hydrochloride, Flurazepam,Mono-Perchlorate, Flurazepam,Monohydrochloride, Flurazepam
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults

Related Publications

M R Achong, and P G Fernandez, and P J McLeod
June 1997, Polskie Archiwum Medycyny Wewnetrznej,
M R Achong, and P G Fernandez, and P J McLeod
December 1980, Polski tygodnik lekarski (Warsaw, Poland : 1960),
M R Achong, and P G Fernandez, and P J McLeod
January 1991, Polski tygodnik lekarski (Warsaw, Poland : 1960),
M R Achong, and P G Fernandez, and P J McLeod
January 1984, Archives belges = Belgisch archief,
M R Achong, and P G Fernandez, and P J McLeod
September 1991, Chest,
M R Achong, and P G Fernandez, and P J McLeod
April 1980, Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde,
M R Achong, and P G Fernandez, and P J McLeod
July 1981, Archives of neurology,
M R Achong, and P G Fernandez, and P J McLeod
September 1970, British medical journal,
M R Achong, and P G Fernandez, and P J McLeod
April 1977, Postgraduate medical journal,
Copied contents to your clipboard!