Version 1.7, revision planned in 2013.

Last revised in February 2009

October 2010 — minor update. Information on fitness to drive from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's guidance for medical practitioners, At a glance guide to the current medical standards of fitness to drive has been added [DVLA, 2010]. Issued in October 2010.

July 2010 — minor update. Prescribing information on Lithium updated to reflect new advice in the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) that one 5 mL spoonful of Priadel^® liquid (520 mg lithium citrate) is equivalent to 204 mg lithium carbonate, not 200 mg lithium carbonate as stated on previous SPCs [ABPI Medicines Compendium, 2010]. Issued in July 2010.

May 2010 — minor update. Minor amendment to lithium prescribing issues (minor typographical error). Issued in June 2010.

January 2010 — minor update regarding interactions between lithium and antidepressants. Issued in January 2010.

December 2009 — minor update. The National Patient Safety Agency has developed a lithium patient information leaflet, a lithium alert card, and a record book for tracking blood tests [National Patient Safety Agency, 2009]. Issued in December 2009.

October 2009 — minor update. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has reminded prescribers that smoking induces metabolism of olanzapine and clozapine, so stopping smoking can increase levels of these drugs, possibly causing increased adverse effects [MHRA, 2009b]. Issued in October 2009.

April 2009 — minor update. The Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) indicators for stopping smoking related to bipolar disorder have been added to the QOF indicators section. Issued in May 2009.

September 2008 to February 2009 — this is a new CKS topic developed following a structured literature review. The evidence-base has been reviewed in detail, and recommendations are clearly justified and transparently linked to the supporting evidence.