Fixed-bed charcoal hemoperfusion. Treatment of drug overdose

Abstract

Fixed-bed activated charcoal cartridges were used for hemoperfusion in the treatment of 54 patients with overdose of 1 or more drugs, including barbiturate, glutethimide, ethchloryvnol, meprobamate, methyprylon, methaqualone, salicylate and diazepam. The most dramatic improvement was noticed in patients with phenobarbitol intoxication; they were admitted in stage 3-4 coma and were awake or arousable by verbal communication at the end of 1 1/2 h of hemoperfusion. Other intoxications improved slowly and required longer duration of treatment. The clearance rates of the drugs with hemoperfusion were greater than those usually achieved with hemodialysis. The data demonstrate the efficacy and usefulness of charcoal hemoperfusion for the management of drug overdose.