1. Lithium toxicity from an internet dietary supplement
- Author
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D. K. Pauzé and D. E. Brooks
- Subjects
Lithium toxicity ,Internet ,Lithium (medication) ,Adolescent ,business.industry ,Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis ,education ,Dietary supplement ,Pharmacology toxicology ,Pharmacology ,Toxicology ,Toxicology Observations ,Toxicity ,Dietary Supplements ,medicine ,Lithium Compounds ,Organometallic Compounds ,Humans ,The Internet ,Female ,business ,medicine.drug - Abstract
The widespread availability of medications and herbal products on the Internet has increased the potential for poisonings. We are reporting a case of mild, acute lithium toxicity occurring after the intentional misuse of a lithium-containing "dietary supplement" (Find Serenity Now) obtained over the Internet.An 18-year-old woman presented to our emergency department (ED) after ingesting 18 tablets of Find Serenity Now; each tablet contained, according to the listing, 120 mg of lithium orotate [3.83 mg of elemental lithium per 100 mg of (organic) lithium orotate compared to 18.8 mg of elemental lithium per 100 mg of (inorganic) lithium carbonate]. The patient complained of nausea and reported one episode of emesis. Her examination revealed normal vital signs. The only finding was a mild tremor without rigidity. Almost 90 minutes after the ingestion, her serum lithium level was 0.31 mEq/L, a urine drug screen was negative, and an electrocardiogram (ECG) showed a normal sinus rhythm. The patient received intravenous fluids and an anti-emetic; one hour later, her repeat serum lithium level was 0.40 mEq/L. After 3 hours of observation, nausea and tremor were resolved, and she was subsequently transferred to a psychiatric hospital for further care. Prior human and animal data have shown similar pharmacokinetics and shared clinical effects of these lithium salts.Over-the-Internet dietary supplements may contain ingredients capable of causing toxicity in overdose. Chronic lithium toxicity from ingestion of this product is also of theoretical concern.
- Published
- 2007