A Rare Case of Lithium Toxicity Inducing Complete Heart Block and Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus

Authors

Rohail A. Baig, Arnot Ogden Medical CenterFollow
Gurtej Dhaliwal, Arnot Ogden Medical CenterFollow
Nimra Shafi, Arnot Ogden Medical CenterFollow
Omar Siddiqui, Arnot Ogden Medical CenterFollow
Michelle L. Malnoske, University of Rochester Medical CenterFollow

Author Credentials

1. MD

2. MD

3. MD

4. MD

Author ORCID Identifier

Rohail A. Baig: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9061-8936

Abstract

Lithium is a commonly utilized mood stabilizer for the treatment of bipolar disorder. Although it is efficacious, elevated levels may lead to neurologic, cardiac, nephrogenic, and gastrointestinal side effects. Management of severe lithium toxicity has been an evolving topic of debate in terms of its clinical management. We report a case of a 23-year-old female who presented to the emergency department with severe lithium toxicity, who needed intensive intervention and a critical level of care. This case provides an example of how utilizing standardized care algorithms may provide great benefit to clinicians managing lithium toxicity in emergencies and critical care setting. Current guidelines for lithium toxicity are categorized into three major classifications; 1. Acute overdose in lithium naïve patient, 2. Acute overdose in a patient on chronic therapy (acute on chronic), 3. Chronic over-medication or drug accumulation.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

Recommended Citation

Baig RA, Dhaliwal G, Shafi N, Siddiqui O, Malnoske ML. A Rare Case of Lithium Toxicity Inducing Complete Heart Block and Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus. Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery. 2026; 6(1):65-68. doi: 10.53785/2769-2779.1327.