In-vivo binding of lithium using the cation exchange resin sodium polystyrene sulfonate

The purpose of this study was to determine if the exchange resin sodium polystyrene sulfonate increases the clearance of lithium in a healthy volunteer. A single healthy volunteer received 900 mg lithium for each of three study phases. A sodium polystyrene sulfonate dose of either 0, 20, or 40 grams was administered one half hour after each lithium dose to assess the effect on lithium clearance. Multiple blood samples were obtained for serum lithium concentrations over a 36- to 48-hour time period. Pharmacokinetic parameter estimates were calculated and compared. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate was found to increase the clearance of lithium in a single volunteer. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate may be useful in the treatment of lithium intoxication by increasing the clearance of lithium.