A method of dosing lithium based on a 24-hour serum lithium level
obtained after a single 600-mg oral dose of lithium carbonate has been
reported to provide a steady-state lithium concentration of 0.6--1.2
mEq/liter. Since this regimen is widely used in clinical practice, the
authors designed a study to determine the practicality of the dosing guide.
Of 13 patients who followed this dosing protocol, 4 (30.7%) failed to
achieve the defined steady-state range. The authors discuss factors that
may affect the reliability of the dosing guide.
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