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Lithium NSAID interaction — GPhC CRA MCQ

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ModerateCNS TherapeuticsLithium NSAID interactionGPhC CRA

A patient taking lithium asks to buy ibuprofen for a sprained ankle. Their lithium level was stable at the last clinic review. What is the most important interaction to flag?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: C — Increased lithium concentration and toxicity risk

NSAIDs can reduce renal lithium clearance and increase toxicity risk. The patient should avoid unsupervised NSAID use and discuss safer analgesia. In this scenario, the correct option is increased lithium concentration and toxicity risk. The other options are plausible but do not address the key clinical, legal or safety issue as directly. This aligns with UK pharmacy practice guidance cited in the reference field.

Reference: BNF; Stockley's Drug Interactions