How is acute Lithium toxicity typically managed?

Acute lithium toxicity is a serious medical condition that requires careful management to prevent complications and support the patient effectively. The preferred approach in such cases involves methods that rapidly clear lithium from the gastrointestinal tract, particularly when ingestion has occurred. Whole bowel irrigation with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and gastric lavage are interventions that can be employed to facilitate the removal of lithium from the body more quickly, especially if the toxicity has resulted from recent ingestion of a significant quantity.

Using whole bowel irrigation can help eliminate unabsorbed lithium from the gastrointestinal tract before it is absorbed into the bloodstream, while gastric lavage can also decrease the amount of lithium available for absorption. Together, these methods help reduce the overall lithium load in the system, which is crucial for managing toxicity effectively.

Other options, like hydration and bed rest, although important components of supportive care, do not actively address the elevated levels of lithium in the body as effectively as the aforementioned methods. Similarly, intravenous fluids alone are important for electrolyte balance and renal function support but do not directly help in clearing lithium from the system. The administration of Vitamin K is not relevant to lithium toxicity and does not contribute to its management. Thus, the choice of whole bowel irrigation with PEG and gastric lavage stands out as the most appropriate and effective option