Researchers from the University of Surrey developed a biosensor which could be used for management of lithium-associated ADRs in patients with bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is responsible for the loss of more DALYs than all forms of cancer or major neurologic conditions. The prevalence rate of bipolar disorder has been around 8.7 million people in India. Lithium is an antipsychotic drug used as mood-stabilizing medication in bipolar disorder.
The drug should be carefully monitored when given to patients, as the wrong dose could prove to be highly toxic. For this purpose, lithium levels at initial stage should be monitored in an interval of five to seven days after the first dose. This should be followed by weekly checks until levels between two doses get stabilized. Despite the need for lithium monitoring, the availability of national guidelines and prescribing frameworks; local…
