Potassium supplementation in lithium patients: a timely intervention or premature speculation?

BACKGROUND

Preventing and/or treating renal and other complications of long-term lithium therapy remains a challenge to clinicians. A review of studies in animals and anecdotal reports in humans suggests that potassium may have therapeutic value in this regard.

METHOD

The Lithium Information Center data base of over 20,000 articles was searched under the title and subject heading of "potassium." Pertinent articles from the 303 references obtained served as the basis for this review.

RESULTS

Studies in rats found that dietary potassium supplementation reduced adverse effects of lithium on growth and renal function and morphology. Loss of intracellular potassium may contribute to lithium-induced electrocardiographic ST-T wave changes. Little work has been done in humans to evaluate the potential benefit of potassium supplementation.

CONCLUSION

Hypokalemia should be avoided or corrected in patients taking lithium. The role of potassium supplementation in preventing renal and other complications in the presence of normokalemia requires further investigation.