Side effects of lithium therapy reported by patients with bipolar disorder
| Side effect | No. (and %) of patients | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Women, n = 38 | Men, n = 22 | Total, n = 60 | |
| Polyuria–polydipsia | 24 (63)x | 12 (54)x | 36 (60) |
| Tremor | 10 (26)* | 12 (54)* | 22 (37) |
| Weight gain (at least 5 kg) during the first year of treatment | 18 (47)* | 4 (18)* | 22 (37) |
| Thyroid disorders | |||
| Hypothyroidism | 14 (37)* | 2 (9)* | 16 (27) |
| Goiter | 8 (21) | 1 (4.5) | 9 (15) |
| Hyperthyroidism | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dermatologic effects | |||
| Acne (onset or worsening) | 5 (13) | 2 (9) | 7 (11.7) |
| Psoriasis | 1 (2.6) | 0 | 1 (1.7) |
| Gastrointestinal effects | 1 (2.6) | 1 (4.5) | 2 (3.3) |
| Cognitive effects | 2 (5.2) | 0 | 2 (3.3) |
| Muscular weakness | 1 (2.6) | 0 | 1 (1.7) |
| Blood test abnormalities | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sexual dysfunction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
↵* Fisher’s exact test, p < 0.05.