PMID: 6106514Oct 1, 1980Paper

Lithium-drug interactions altering the intracellular lithium level: an in vitro study

Biological Psychiatry
D G OstrowJ M Davis

Abstract

An in vitro incubation system utilizing a bicarbonate-CO2 buffer system accurately predicts the in vivo red cell:plasma lithium ratio (LR). Piperazine phenothiazines produced the most marked elevations of intracellular lithium, doubling the LR when added to the system at 3 X 10(-5) M. The aminoalkyl phenothiazines and thioxanthenes were somewhat less active, while the non-phenothiazine antipsychotics, such as loxapine, haloperidol and molindone, produced only minor increases in the LR. Tricyclic antidepressants produced a 20-30% increase, while other types of antidepressants, the major neurotransmitters and their metabolites, hormones, benzodiazepines and diuretics did not show any activity. Of the antihypertensives studied, only hydralazine had an effect on the LR. The effect of fluphenazine on the intracellular lithium level was paralleled by an increase in intracellular sodium and was blocked by dipyridamole. Several important lithium-drug interactions may contribute to an increased LR and suggest caution in the interpretation of studies of the relationship between the LR and clinical aspects of the affective disorders.

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Antihypertensive Agents: Mechanisms of Action

Antihypertensive drugs are used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) which aims to prevent the complications of high blood pressure, such as stroke and myocardial infarction. Discover the latest research on antihypertensive drugs and their mechanism of action here.

Antipsychotic Drugs

Antipsychotic drugs are a class of medication primarily used to manage psychosis (including delusions, hallucinations, paranoia or disordered thought), principally in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Discover the latest research on antipsychotic drugs here