LITHIUM-DRUG INTERACTIONS ALTERING THE INTRACELLULAR LITHIUM LEVEL - AN INVITRO STUDY

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 15  (5) , 723-739
Abstract
An in vitro incubation system utilizing a bicarbonate-CO2 buffer system accurately predicts the in vivo human red cell:plasma Li ratio (LR). Piperazine phenothiazines produced the most marked elevations of intracellular Li, doubling the LR when added to the system at 3 .times. 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 Li level was paralleled by an increase in intracellular Na and was blocked by dipyridamole. Several important Li-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.

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