Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors lithium

This case report (Figures 6-4Ato 6-4C) (McDermut et al. 1995) of selective response to dihydropyridine CCBs but not a phenylalkylamine CCB is of considerable interest in relationship to the patient s history of nonre-sponsivity to multiple tricyclic antidepressants, the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, lithium, carbamazepine (the patient developed drug-induced hepatitis on carbamazepine and was unable to be evaluated), alprazolam, trazodone, and phenelzine. This suggests that patients with refractory mood disorders may have differential responses to various CCBs and that nonresponse to one CCB does not preclude response to another CCB, particularly if the other CCB is from a different category (Table 6-3). 

Opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, corticosteroids, dopamine agonists (e.g., amantadine, bromocriptine, levodopa, pergolide, pramipexole, ropinirole), H2-receptor antagonists, anticholinergics (e.g., diphenhydramine, trihexylphenidyl), P-adrenergic blockers, clonidine, methyldopa, carbamazepine, phenytoin, baclofen, cyclobenzaprine, lithium, antidepressants (e.g., tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), and interleukin-2... 

Tricyclic antidepressants Monoamine oxidase inhibitors Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors Antipsychotics Phenothiazines Risperidone Lithium... 

Serotonin syndrome (sibutramine) The rare, but serious, constellation of symptoms also has been reported with the concomitant use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and agents for migraine therapy (eg, sumatriptan, dihydroergotamine), certain opioids (eg, dextromethorphan, meperidine, pentazocine, fentanyl), lithium, or tryptophan. Because sibutramine inhibits serotonin reuptake, it should not be administered with other serotonergic agents. 

The triptans should be used with caution in patients on lithium, monoamine oxidase inhibitors or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, due to the rare occurrence of the serotonin syndrome. 

Song F, Freemantle N, Sheldon TA Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors meta-analysis of efficacy and acceptabihty. BMJ 306(6879) 683-687, 1993 Song L, Jope R Chronic lithium treatment impairs phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis in membranes from rat brain regions. J Neurochem 58 2200-2206, 1992 Souza EG, Mander AJ, Goodwin GM The efficacy of lithium in prophylaxis of unipolar depression evidenced from its discontinuation. Br J Psychiatry 157 718-722, 1990... 

An interesting application of lithium that is relatively well supported by controlled studies is as an adjunct to tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in patients with unipolar depression who do not respond fully to monotherapy with the antidepressant. For this application, concentrations of lithium at the lower end of the recommended range for manic-depressive illness appear to be adequate. 

Psychodynamic supportive psychotherapy (n = 107) has been compared with psychotherapy plus medication (n = 101) in patients with major depressive disorder (93). The medications included venlafaxine, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, nortriptyline, and nortriptyline plus lithium. Lithium was used as an augmentation strategy in the patients who took lithium and nortriptyline (number not given). There were no differences in outcomes between the two treatment groups. No adverse effects specific to lithium were reported. 

Sivakumaran T, Hayes J, McPhee S. Efficacy, safety and tolerability of combined administration of lithium and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors a review of the current evidence. Hertfordshire Neuroscience Research Group. Int Clin Psychopharmacol... 

Contents Introduction, history and brain basics—Older antidepressants tricyclics and monoamine oxidase inhibitors—Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors—Second generation antidepressants—Lithium, a medication for bipolar depression—Natural depressants—Teens and antidepressants trends and attitudes—Case study one girl s experience with antidepressants. 

FIGURE 9—2. Various treatments can be given in combination for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) (i.e., OCD combos). The basis of all combination treatments is a serotonin selective reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or clomipramine. Added to this basis may be a serotonin 1A partial agonist, a serotonin 2A antagonist, lithium, a benzodiazepine or a sedative-hypnotic, a conventional antipsychotic or an atypical antipsychotic, or behavioral psychotherapy. 

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