Outcome after rapid vs gradual discontinuation of lithium treatment in bipolar disorders

GL Faedda, L Tondo, RJ Baldessarini… - Archives of General …, 1993 - jamanetwork.com
Objective: Withdrawal of bipolar mood disorder (BP-I) patients from prolonged, stable lithium
maintenance has a high risk of early recurrence, particularly of mania. We thus compared
risks of stopping lithium rapidly vs gradually. Design: Outpatients undergoing clinically
determined discontinuation of lithium treatment at different rates were followed up
prospectively to 5 years. Risks and timing of new episodes were analyzed. Patients:
Subjects (N= 64) with aDSM-III-RBP disorder, previously stable on lithium monotherapy for …