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The influence of age on lithium efficacy and side-effects in out-patients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

N. Murray ,
S. Hopwood ,
D. J. K. Balfour ,
S. Ogston  and
D. S. Hewick
N. Murray
Affiliation:
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Dundee Psychiatric Service, Department of Community and Occupational Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee
S. Hopwood
Affiliation:
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Dundee Psychiatric Service, Department of Community and Occupational Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee
D. J. K. Balfour
Affiliation:
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Dundee Psychiatric Service, Department of Community and Occupational Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee
S. Ogston
Affiliation:
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Dundee Psychiatric Service, Department of Community and Occupational Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee
D. S. Hewick*
Affiliation:
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Dundee Psychiatric Service, Department of Community and Occupational Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee
*
2Address for correspondence: Dr D. S. Hewick, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DDI 9SY.
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Synopsis

One hundred and sixty-six unipolar and bipolar out-patients (21–78 years) on long-term lithium treatment were studied on a prospective basis. Although there was a possible tendency for manic attacks to increase in prevalence and severity with age, it was difficult to demonstrate a general age-related decline in lithium efficacy. There was a tendency for the prevalence and severity of fine hand tremor to increase with age. This was not seen with polydipsia/polyuria, the other typical lithium side-effect.

Type
Research Article
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 13 , Issue 1 , February 1983 , pp. 53 - 60
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1983

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