| This study was aimed to survey for concurrent use of lithium and other drugs which have potential to interact with lithium in psychiatric patients of Prasrimahabhodi Psychiatric Hospital, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand. The patient data was collected by filling in forms. Additionally, the patient’s knowledge for lithium usage was also evaluated in this study. A total number of patients enrolled the study was 155 (female 64%). Majority of them were 40-49 years old and have been diagnosed with bipolar disorders (56.13%). The most common physical comorbidity found in the studied patients is hypertension (4.5%). Medications for physical diseases used in these patients were ACEIs/ARBs (2.5%), Thiazide diuretics (1.3%), and NSAIDs (1.3%). The most frequent psychiatric drug preScribed concurrently with lithium was Phenothiazine (22.58%). The results found that only 20% of patients received appropriated monitoring for lithium level, and 43.8% received appropriated monitoring for renal function. Of total measured lithium levels, 37.80% was lower than the therapeutic range and 2.90% was higher than the therapeutic range. Results from evaluating patient’s knowledge about lithium usage revealed that more than 80% of patients have no enough knowledge about lithium, particularly lithium toxicity and drug-drug interactions. It could be concluded that some patients treated with lithium also use other drugs concurrently which may lead to drug-drug interactions and increase risk of lithium toxicity. The monitoring of plasma lithium level and patient counseling may play important role to improve efficacy for lithium therapy and prevent toxicity of lithium. |