Citation

Bouma AW, van Dam B, Meynaar IA, Peltenburg HG, Walenbergh-van Veen MCM. Ned. Tijdschr. Geneeskd. 2004; 148(33): 1642-1645.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Erven Bohn)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

15455513

Abstract

A 44-year-old female was found comatose after attempting suicide. Toxicological screening showed phenobarbital intoxication. The patient was treated symptomatically. After ten days her serum level of phenobarbital still had not decreased and she was not clinically recovered. The patient was transferred to another hospital for hemoperfusion to decrease the level of phenobarbital. After hemoperfusion the level of phenobarbital dropped significantly and the patient recovered neurologically. Phenobarbital has a long elimination half-life and for this reason it is advisable to use means to accelerate clearance until the clinical condition of the patient shows improvement. Multiple-dose activated charcoal effects the elimination of phenobarbital. If elimination needs to be speeded up, then hemoperfusion can be considered. If this technique is unavailable, hemodialysis is a good alternative.

Language: nl

Keywords

Adult; Charcoal; Drug Overdose; Female; Hemoperfusion; Humans; Hypnotics and Sedatives; Phenobarbital; Suicide, Attempted; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome