Lack of correlation between lithium pharmacokinetic parameters obtained from plasma and saliva.

One tablet containing 755 mg of lithium tryptophanate (10.8 mEq of lithium) was administered to eight healthy volunteers. The main pharmacokinetic parameters for the group of subjects were estimated. Pharmacokinetic parameters (mean +/- SD) from plasma and saliva were respectively: half life (t1/2) 17 +/- 6 vs. 21.8 +/- 14 h; mean residence time 23.7 +/- 7.4 vs. 24.4 +/- 15.3 h; total clearance 30.6 +/- 9.3 vs. 28.6 +/- 6.2 ml/h/kg; and apparent volume of distribution 0.71 +/- 0.20 vs. 0.84 +/- 0.37 L/kg. Although the mean pharmacokinetic parameters in plasma and saliva were similar, there was no significant correlation between the calculated parameters in the individual subject (p greater than 0.05). The usefulness of monitoring salivary levels of lithium is questionable.