Wed, 20 Aug 2025 18:24:03 +0000

Lithium Side Effects and Mechanism of Action | Nursing Pharmacology

In this video, you'll learn the side effects of lithium and lithium's mechanism of action.

This is a super simple way to learn pharmacology faster and easier in nursing school, step by step. And this video will help you understand the critical thinking behind the side effects and how lithium actually works inside the body.

Mechanism of Action of Lithium:

The mechanism of action of lithium is not fully known, but it is widely distributed in the central nervous system and interacting with many neurotransmitters and receptors.

This is thought to alter the effects of dopamine, decreasing the excited neurotransmissions that are occurring.

Lithium Side Effects:

Renal toxicity: Since lithium is excreted in the kidneys, it can lead to a decrease in renal function. This can cause polyuria, which then can lead to further electrolyte imbalances.

Hyponatremia: Lithium causes changes within the sodium transport channels, resulting in a decrease in sodium resorption in the renal tubules.

Sodium imbalances: This can cause seizures, dizziness, lethargy, slowed motor response, dry mouth and blurry vision

Respiratory depression and hypotension: There is a decrease in dopamine, which slows CNS because the receptor sites are blocked.

Tachycardia: This happens as a response to low blood pressure that was decreased from the lack of dopamine in the CNS.

Constipation, GI upset, and weight gain: There is a decrease in dopamine, which slows everything down in the GI system.

Muscle weakness, tremors, and rigidity: Especially with high doses of lithium, muscle rigidity can happen because of the changes in the neurotransmitters which control movements, specifically, dopamine

Hypothyroid: Lithium interferes with T3 and T4 secretion and can cause hypothyroid, the MOA for this is not clear.

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TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Intro
0:55 Trade Names, Generic Names, Classes, and Indications
1:22 Mechanism of Action and Therapeutic Effect
2:44 Side Effects
4:59 Nursing Assessment
6:05 Contraindications
6:41 Patient Education and Nursing Considerations
8:49 MEDICATION DATABASE

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