ABOUT COURSE
This course provides extensive exploration of Lithium, a miracle medications used to treat bipolar disorder, depression and reducing suicidal ideations.
The curriculum covers essential topics for prescribers including:
- Indications
- Dosage and Administration
- Mechanism of Action
- Pharmacokinetics
- Warnings
- Drug Interactions
- Contraindications
- Augmentation Strategies
- Recommended Lab Tests
- Therapeutic Levels
- Overdose Management
- Tapering/Withdrawal
- Use in Special Populations-
- Pregnancy,
- Lactation,
- Renal Impairment,
- Hepatic Impairment,
- Cardiac Impairment,
- Elderly,
- Children and Adolescents.
- Important pearls based on years of practice.
This course aims to improve the clinical expertise of psychiatric nurse practitioners and other prescribers by providing the knowledge to prescribe and manage Lithium therapy effectively and safely.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Brand Names & Generic:
- Learn about brand names under which Lithium is marketed.
- Learn about different generic names under which Lithium is available in the market.
Indications:
- Learn the FDA-approved uses and potential off-label applications of Lithium.
- Know the dosages of all potential off-label uses.
Dosage and Administration:
- Understand different medication forms and their administration.
- Implement appropriate dosage and administration guidelines for Lithium in various clinical scenarios.
- Learn how to dose Lithium correctly and identify usual dosage ranges.
Pharmacological Effects:
- Explore the mechanisms of Lithium.
- Understand how Lithium works in the brain to treat mood stabilizers and other conditions.
- Discuss the impact of Lithium on neurotransmitter levels and brain chemistry.
Pharmacokinetics:
- Absorption: Understand how Lithium is absorbed in the body.
- Distribution: Learn about the distribution of Lithium in the body.
- Metabolism: Discuss the metabolism of Lithium.
- Elimination: Understand how Lithium is eliminated from the body.
- Half–life: Know the half-life of Lithium and its clinical significance.
Drug Interactions:
- Identify common drug interactions with Lithium and strategies for managing them.
- Understand the mechanisms through which these interactions occur.
- Know which medications should be avoided with Lithium due to drug interactions.
Common Side Effects:
- Learn about the most common side effects of Lithium.
- Understand potential life-threatening side effects and how to manage them.
- Educate patients on what to expect and how to manage side effects.
Contraindications:
- Learn the conditions under which Lithium should not be used.
- Understand the reasons why these conditions are contraindicated.
Best Augmenting Combos for Partial Response:
- Learn about the best augmenting combinations for patients with partial response to Lithium.
- Discover effective strategies for augmenting Lithium therapy.
- Evaluate the efficacy and safety of common augmentation strategies.
Recommended Lab Tests:
- Learn about recommended lab tests for safe and effective monitoring.
- Identify necessary lab tests to monitor patients on Lithium.
- Interpret lab results to guide treatment adjustments.
Therapeutic Monitoring:
- Apply strategies for therapeutic monitoring to optimize treatment outcomes.
- Know about the therapeutic blood levels for Lithium.
Overdose:
- Understand the signs and symptoms of Lithium overdose.
- Recognize early warning signs of overdose and effective management strategies.
Tapering/Withdrawal:
- Apply best practices for tapering and withdrawal of Lithium to minimize withdrawal symptoms.
- Follow the best protocols based on decades of clinical practice to safely taper Lithium.
- Educate patients on the process and expected symptoms of tapering.
Usage with Special Populations:
- Gain insights into the unique considerations for prescribing Lithium to special populations such as pregnancy, lactation, hepatic impairment, renal impairment, cardiac impairment, elderly, and children.
- Tailor Lithium dosage for special populations considering their unique needs.
- Understand the risks and benefits of Lithium use in these populations.
Important Pearls:
- Learn about essential clinical pearls to enhance practice and ensure patient safety.
- Understand the most important facts about Lithium based on decades of clinical practice.
- Apply practical tips and experiences from clinical practice to improve patient outcomes.
