Affiliation:
1. Department of Psychiatry, Shri Guru Ram Rai Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India,
Abstract
Lithium is known to cause nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, chronic tubule-interstitial nephropathy, and partial distal renal tubular acidosis. We are describing a rare instance of lithium precipitating acute renal injury within a week in a patient receiving long-term nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for medically unexplained symptoms. The patient presented with fluctuating orientation, cerebellar signs, and brisk deep tendon reflexes. Citing associated lithium toxicity discontinuation of lithium and NSAIDs brought back kidney function test to normal. Lithium toxicity was treated with intravascular fluids. We conclude that lithium may precipitate severe but reversible renal failure.