MARTINS, Nádia Vicência do Nascimento et al. Pharmacotherapeutic follow-up of lithium carbonate registered users in the mental health program. []. , 17, pp.9-16. ISSN 1647-2160.  https://doi.org/10.19131/rpesm.0178.

BACKGROUND: Bipolar disorder is a disease characterized by fluctuations or cyclical mood swings that can cause great impact on the lives the patient, her family and society, generating often losses for in health, social reputation and consequently psychological distress.  AIM: This study aimed to analyze the lithium level of patients on lithium carbonate.  METHODS: Descriptive research field, prospective and quantitative approach, the main variables investigated were: age, sex, education, marital status, family income, prescription drugs and dosage of blood levels.  RESULTS: It was found that the users profile was: male 60% (6/10) with a mean age of 41.4 years, 80% (8/10) with family income 1-2 times the minimum wage, 60% with high school degrees 80% (8/10) were using mood stabilizers associated with antipsychotics, 80% (8/10) had a lithium concentration below the therapeutic range.  CONCLUSIONS: These results contribute to the planning of actions related to the mental health service, as well as the need for implementation of pharmaceutical care in an attempt to find solutions for: drug-related problems, recognition of drug interactions and interventions by multidisciplinary team in time to improve the adherence to the proposed drug treatment and consequently improve the quality of life of these patients.

: Delivery of health care; Lithium carbonate; Mental health.

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