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Abrupt lithium discontinuation in manic‐depressive patients
Author(s) -
Christodoulou G. N.,
Lykouras E. P.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0447.1982.tb00852.x
Subject(s) - discontinuation , polydipsia , polyuria , lithium (medication) , placebo , medicine , weakness , bipolar disorder , hyperreflexia , psychology , anesthesia , psychiatry , pediatrics , surgery , endocrinology , pathology , diabetes mellitus , alternative medicine
Prophylactic lithium was abruptly discontinued (under double‐blind conditions and using placebo) in 18 manic‐depressive patients for 15 days. Following lithium withdrawal tremor of hands, polyuria, general muscular weakness, polydipsia and dryness of mouth were significantly reduced. No withdrawal symptoms were noted. Three patients relapsed within 4 days of lithium discontinuation. The questions arising from these findings are discussed and the possibility of a rebound phenomenon produced by lithium is considered.