From the FDA Drug Label
The toxic levels for lithium are close to the therapeutic levels. Treatment: No specific antidote for lithium poisoning is known Early symptoms of lithium toxicity can usually be treated by reduction or cessation of dosage of the drug and resumption of the treatment at a lower dose after 24 to 48 hours.
There is no concern for lithium toxicity by changing batteries, as the drug label discusses lithium toxicity in the context of therapeutic levels and overdose, not battery ingestion. 1
From the Research
Changing batteries does not pose a risk for lithium toxicity, as lithium batteries are sealed units that contain lithium compounds which cannot be absorbed through intact skin during normal handling. The lithium in batteries is in a chemical form that differs from the lithium carbonate or lithium citrate used as medication for bipolar disorder 2, 3. Even if you handle damaged batteries, brief skin contact with the contents is unlikely to cause systemic lithium toxicity. However, if a lithium battery is swallowed, this is a medical emergency as it can cause severe internal burns and potentially release lithium into the body. If you're taking lithium medication and are concerned about toxicity, this would come from your prescribed medication dosage, not from changing batteries.
Key Considerations
- Regular blood monitoring is important for patients on lithium therapy to maintain safe therapeutic levels between 0.6-1.2 mEq/L and prevent toxicity symptoms like tremor, confusion, or kidney problems 4, 5.
- Lithium has a narrow therapeutic index, and its toxicity can be influenced by kidney function, making careful attention to dosing, monitoring, and titration crucial 2.
- The effective dose range for lithium is 0.6-1.0 mM in serum, and levels above 1.5 mM may be toxic 3.
Potential Risks
- Lithium poisoning can affect multiple organs, with the primary site of toxicity being the central nervous system, and clinical manifestations varying from asymptomatic supratherapeutic drug concentrations to clinical toxicity such as confusion, ataxia, or seizures 2.
- Chronic lithium poisoning can require a prolonged hospital length of stay due to impaired mobility and cognition, and associated nosocomial complications 2.