Lithium kinetics in single daily dosing

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Abstract
The feasibility of single daily dosing of lithium carbonate was tested in eight recurrent manic‐depressives being treated with lithium prophylaxis. The patients received their entire 24‐h maintenance dose at 8:00 p.m. for 12 consecutive days. The suitability of single daily dosing was determined by comparing 1) lithium trough levels', 2) lithium kinetic parameters of half‐life, clearance, and volume of distribution; and 3) renal function parameters of serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, and mean 24‐h urine output during the initial divided daily dosage trial and the subsequent single daily dosage trial. The observation of no significant changes in either serum half‐lives or renal lithium clearance levels supports the conclusion that the average steady‐state lithium serum concentration (Cp88) is unchanged by conversion to single daily doses. No significant changes were observed in either serum creatinine or creatinine clearance. However, a significant decrease in the 24‐h urine output was noted on the single daily dose.