12 RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT Predictive Hthium administration not advantageous Achieving a therapeutic lithium concentration more quickly by using a predictive dosing method does not necessarily improve patient outcome, say researchers from the US. They found no difference in the time to resolution of symptoms (Mania Rating Scale score < 14) between patients who received their lithium doses via a predictive method (the Modified Slattery method) and those who were treated empirically. Their preliminary study included 18 inpatients with manic symptoms and a Mania Rating Scale score 24 before study entry. Although patients in the predictive group attained a therapeutic lithium concentration significantly sooner than those in the empiric group, the mean serum lithium concentration at discharge was not significantly different between the 2 groups. At day 3 or 4 of treatment, significantly fewer adverse GI or genitourinary effects were reported in the predictive group. In addition, patients in the predictive group had a shorter length of stay in the acute unit; however, in this small study group, the between-group difference was not significant. Marken PA. McCrary KE. Lacombe S. Sornmi RW. Homstra Jr RK. et aI. Preliminary comparison of predictive and empiric lithium dosing: impact on patient outcome. Annals of Pharmacotherapy 28: 1148-1152. Oct 1994 100312292 12 Noy 1994INPHARMA· 0156-270319410963-000121$01.00° Adls International Limited 1994. All rights reserved

Predictive lithium administration not necessarily advantageous

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Page 1: Predictive lithium administration not necessarily advantageous

12 RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Predictive Hthium administration not ~y advantageous

Achieving a therapeutic lithium concentration more quickly by using a predictive dosing method does not necessarily improve patient outcome, say researchers from the US.

They found no difference in the time to resolution of symptoms (Mania Rating Scale score < 14) between patients who received their lithium doses via a predictive method (the Modified Slattery method) and those who were treated empirically. Their preliminary study included 18 inpatients with manic symptoms and a Mania Rating Scale score ~ 24 before study entry.

Although patients in the predictive group attained a therapeutic lithium concentration significantly sooner than those in the empiric group, the mean serum lithium concentration at discharge was not significantly different between the 2 groups. At day 3 or 4 of treatment, significantly fewer adverse GI or genitourinary effects were reported in the predictive group. In addition, patients in the predictive group had a shorter length of stay in the acute unit; however, in this small study group, the between-group difference was not significant. Marken PA. McCrary KE. Lacombe S. Sornmi RW. Homstra Jr RK. et aI. Preliminary comparison of predictive and empiric lithium dosing: impact on

patient outcome. Annals of Pharmacotherapy 28: 1148-1152. Oct 1994 100312292