The concurrent use of
lithium and
SSRIs can be advantageous and uneventful, but various kinds of neurotoxicities have occurred. Isolated reports describe the develop- ment of
symptoms similar to those of
serotonin syndrome in patients taking
lithium with fluoxetine,
fluvoxamine,
paroxetine and possibly citalopram. In addition, fluoxetine appears to have caused increases and decreases in
serum lithium levels.
If
lithium is used with an SSRI be alert for any evidence of
toxicity. If these
symptoms occur treatment should be withdrawn.