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Observations on Lithium Disposition in the Elderly
Author(s) -
CHAPRON DENNIS J.,
CAMERON IAN R.,
WHITE LORRAINE B.,
MERRALL PAULINE
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1982.tb05064.x
Subject(s) - lithium (medication) , disposition , medicine , volume of distribution , plasma clearance , pharmacokinetics , endocrinology , psychology , social psychology
The disposition kinetics of lithium were studied in six elderly women who had been maintained on this medication for several years. Lithium administration was stopped abruptly. Plasma, whole blood, and erythrocyte half‐lives were then measured, as well as renal plasma clearance and distribution volume. Half‐life values in whole blood and in its components were found to be similar. The plasma lithium half‐life approximated that in younger schizophrenics, but appeared prolonged when compared with half‐lives reported for young normal volunteers. Renal plasma clearance and distribution volume of lithium appeared substantially reduced when compared with published values. The data are consistent with altered lithium disposition in the aged.