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Negative Interaction between Lithium and Electroconvulsive Therapy – A Case-Control Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

A. K. Jha,
G. S. Stein and
P. Fenwick
A. K. Jha*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Farnborough Hospital, Orpington, Kent
G. S. Stein
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Farnborough Hospital, Orpington, Kent
P. Fenwick
Affiliation:
Department of Neuropsychiatry, The Maudsley Hospital, London
*
Dr Jha, la Greenhithe Close, Sidcup, Kent DA15 8EF
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Abstract

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Background

Concurrent use of lithium and ECT is suspected to increase neurotoxicity.

Method

A retrospective case-control study over an eight-year period was conducted to investigate the adverse effects of a combined lithium/ECT treatment Thirty-one subjects with combined lithium/ECT treatment were compared with a control group (ECT only) of 135 cases matched for age and sex.

Results

Most cases in both groups had no adverse effects. Three (10%) study group subjects and 15 (11 %) controls experienced brief delirium. Three controls and none of the subjects developed a prolonged confusion. There were no significant differences in the profile of other adverse effects between the two groups.

Conclusion

Prescription of lithium together with ECT was not associated with higher frequency of adverse effects.

Information

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 168 , Issue 2 , February 1996, pp. 241 - 243
Copyright
Copyright © 1996 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

References

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