Reported neurotoxicity with the lithium/haloperidol combination and other neuroleptics—A literature review

Abstract

AbstractA literature review identified 33 case reports of neurotoxicity following combined treatment with lithium and haloperidol. The reports were assessed using criteria previously proposed as offering explanations for the clinical effects noted: lithium toxicity, uncertainties concerning the diagnoses and clinical management of some of the patients, and the probable involvement of the neuroleptic malignant syndrome.The presence of a true lithium/haloperidol interaction, or indeed any true interaction between lithium and neuroleptics, cannot readily be demonstrated from the data available. The combined use of lithium and haloperidol would appear to be relatively safe when serum lithium levels are maintained below 1·0 mmol/1.