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How do you weigh the risks of overdose with medications that treat severe mental illness?

Medications like lithium and clozapine are important for bipolar disorder and treatment-resistant schizophrenia; however, they carry significant overdose risk. How do you weigh the risks and benefits? What steps do you take to mitigate overdose risk?
2 Answers
Mednet MemberInvited Expert
Psychiatry · South Broward Hospital District
Answered on

Lithium is a double-edged sword… I don’t usually use it for only the anti suicidal properties but if I do, then I prescribe it in weekly dosing.

There was a case report from Russia where they used clozapine to poison someone. Besides that, I’m not too worried about a clozapine overdose but lithium i...

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Mednet MemberInvited Expert
Psychiatry · Christiana Psychiatric Services
Answered on

Rule number one: know thy patient.

Some are just more responsible and trustworthy than others. There are those out there who think if one is good, three must be better; in that case, the risk/benefit ratio changes, and a decision must be made not only as to the most efficacious agent, but the safest...

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