The prophylactic efficacy of lithium -
transient or persistent?
by
Kleindienst N, Greil W, Ruger B, Moller HJ
Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Munich, Germany.
niko@psy.med.uni-muenchen.de
Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 1999; 249(3):144-9

ABSTRACT

It has been reported recently that the prophylactic efficacy of lithium is a transient phenomenon in many patients. Other studies suggest sustained efficacy against affective recurrences for many years. As this issue is of major therapeutic relevance, published literature considering changes in lithium efficacy over time has been reviewed. The present review includes a critical evaluation of the data and the methodology which yielded these controversial results. Considering the published data discussed in this review, the balance of evidence does not indicate a general loss of lithium efficacy in the prophylaxis of major affective disorders. A supposed persistence of the prophylactic effects in general does not, however, exclude the reappearance of affective recurrences after years of successful treatment in individual cases. Possible reasons for this phenomenon are discussed.

Mania
5-HT1B
Lithium
Gabapentin
Lamotrigine
Carbamazepine
Mood stabilisers
Protein kinase C
Bipolar disorders
Lithium prophylaxis
Lithium augmenation
Valproate versus lithium
Controlled trials of inositol
Bipolar treatment guidelines
Lithium in unipolar depression
Lithium versus carbamazepine

Refs
HOME
HedWeb
Future Opioids
BLTC Research
Paradise-Engineering
Utopian Pharmacology
The Hedonistic Imperative
When Is It Best To Take Crack Cocaine?

The Good Drug Guide
The Responsible Parent's Guide
To Healthy Mood Boosters For All The Family