Clinical significance of the interaction between lithium and a neuromuscular blocker.

Abstract

Reports of delayed recovery from anesthesia by patients concurrently receiving lithium carbonate and a neuromuscular blocker have been followed by a recommendation to avoid such a combination and, hence, concurrent treatment with lithium and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The authors review the literature and their clinical experience with such a drug combination at one psychiatric hospital. They conclude that the clinical and experimental findings to date are insufficient to warrant proscribing the combination of lithium and ECT on the basis of possible potentiation of neuromuscular blockade by lithium.

• Authors: B A Martin, P M Kramer
• Journal: The American journal of psychiatry (Am J Psychiatry) Vol. 139 Issue 10 Pg. 1326-8 (Oct 1982) ISSN: 0002-953X [Print] United States
• PMID: 6812439 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Lithium Carbonate
• Lithium
• Succinylcholine
• Thiopental

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Drug Synergism
• Electroconvulsive Therapy
• Female
• Humans
• Lithium (pharmacology)
• Lithium Carbonate
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Mood Disorders (drug therapy, therapy)
• Succinylcholine (pharmacology)
• Thiopental