Lithium Carbonate Treatment for Toxic Metabolic Encephalopathy

Metabolic encephalopathy is brain damage due to a lack of glucose, oxygen or other metabolic agent, or organ dysfunction because the liver cannot remove toxins from the bloodstream. It may occur during an acute illness or other systemic disease, such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, diabetes or heart or renal failure. It can also occur due to a toxic overdose (poisoning).

Symptoms

• Key symptoms include confusion, disorientation, lethargy and even coma, which could be continuous or intermittent. Toxic metabolic encephalopathy is a particular concern among the elderly, whose symptoms could be misdiagnosed as dementia, and those being treated with certain types of medications.

Diagnosis

• The assumption is that the known medical condition is the cause, but doctors may find signs of metabolic encephalopathy through blood work or an electroencephalogram (EEG), a noninvasive test that measures brain waves.

Treatments

• Treatments may include hospitalization and emergency care, during which doctors and hospital staff treat the causes in an effort to remove or neutralize toxins that have built up in the bloodstream. A compound called lactulose can decrease absorption of ammonia. A low-protein diet is usually prescribed to help reduce blood ammonia levels. Other changes in diet, such as reducing salt and water intake, may be necessary. In cases of metabolic encephalopathy due to organ failure, transplantation may be an option.

Toxic Reactions

• Prescription drugs, such as mental health medications, may lead to toxic encephalopathy. Drugs such as lithium carbonate and haloperidol can induce toxic encephalopathy, so if symptoms develop it is important to let your doctor know about medications you are taking.

Potentially Deadly

• Toxic metabolic encephalopathy is difficult to diagnose and can be deadly. If a loved one develops symptoms, it is important to see a doctor to b diagnosed quickly. Lithium carbonate is not a treatment for toxic metabolic encephalopathy---but it's a potential cause.