User:ACL75/sandbox

Lithium is mainly removed from the body through glomerular filtration, but some are then reabsorbed together with sodium through the proximal tubule. Its levels are therefore sensitive to water and electrolyte balance. Diuretics – especially loop diuretics (such as furosemide) and thiazides – act by lowering water and sodium levels. This causes more reabsorption of lithium in the proximal tubules so that the removal of lithium from the body is less, leading to increased levels of lithium. ACE inhibitors have also been shown in a retrospective case-control study to increase lithium concentrations. A possible mechanism is that ACE inhibitors can lead to a decrease in sodium and water. This will increase lithium reabsorption and its concentration in the body.