Lithium is currently a drug of choice for treating persons with bipolar disorder and is widely used in this population. Approximately, 30% of patients taking lithium experience at least one episode of lithium toxicity. Treatment of acute toxicity involves correction of electrolyte abnormalities, volume repletion followed by forced diuresis, and dialysis in severe cases. A case report is described and it is reviewed some alternative treatment options before considering withdrawal of lithium treatment in lithium-induced nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.

A 58-year-old woman diagnosed of hypertension and bipolar disorder for 20 years. At first, she was controlled with valproic acid until she suffered a manic episode which required a mood stabilizer switch. She started a treatment with lithium 1200 mg/day and olanzapine to 10 mg/day and was completely recovered. After a year of stabilization, olanzapine was retired and she maintained stabilized with lithium 1000 mg/day during last 17 years. During last 8 months, she suffered polydipsia and polyuria (4 L/day). She was diagnosed of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. Some measures like liquid restriction, lithium monodose and low sodium diet were carried out, obtaining a partial response. Taking into account, she was stabilised with lithium for many years, it was decided to introduce hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg/day, clinical and analytical resolution of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus was obtained. A year later, she maintains psychopathological stabilization, without any lithium secondary effects.

Some treatment options for lithium-induced nephrogenic diabetes insipidus could be introducing thiazides, amiloride, indomethacin, desmopressin or carbamazepine, instead of withdrawal lithium.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.