Citation

Quan DJ, Winter ME. Journal of Applied Therapeutic Research 1998; 2(1): 75-79.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The acute ingestion of a large dose of phenobarbital may result in coma. Because of the long plasma elimination half-life of the drug, coma may be prolonged.

METHODS to shorten the duration of coma by increasing the total body clearance of phenobarbital in these patients have included the use of activated charcoal, forced alkaline diuresis, hemoperfusion and conventional hemodialysis. We report our experience using a high-flux hemodialyzer to remove phenobarbital in a patient who overdosed in a suicide attempt. A 27 year old female presented comatose after taking an overdose of phenobarbital. Despite gastric lavage, activated charcoal and a sodium bicarbonate infusion, serum phenobarbital concentrations continued to rise. High-flux hemodialysis was initiated in an attempt to remove phenobarbital. The dialysis clearance of phenobarbital by high-flux hemodialysis was determined to be 112 ml/min. We conclude that high-flux hemodialysis can significantly decrease the serum phenobarbital concentration.

Language: en

Keywords

activated carbon; adult; article; artificial kidney; bicarbonate; case report; coma; drug clearance; drug overdose; Drug removal; female; hemodialysis; Hemodialysis; human; Overdose; phenobarbital; Phenobarbital; priority journal; stomach lavage; suicide attempt