title: In vitro study of lithium carbonate adsorption by activated charcoal.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine whether lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) is effectively adsorbed by activated charcoal (AC). Either 0 (control), 1.5, 3.0 or 9.0 grams of AC were added to Li2CO3 (300 mg) in distilled deionized water or simulated gastric fluid USP, filtered and and the filtrate analyzed for lithium by flame photometry. Adsorption of lithium was dependent on AC concentration and pH. In water, lithium was 14.7%, 26.5% and 40.4% adsorbed at AC:Li2CO3 ratios of 5:1, 10:1 and 30:1, respectively (p less than 0.05). In simulated gastric fluid, there was no significant adsorption at any of the AC concentrations studied. Since simulated gastric fluid more closely resembles in vivo conditions, the efficacy of AC in lithium carbonate overdoses is questionable but in vivo studies are needed to confirm these findings.
authors.affiliation: Maryland Poison Center, University of Maryland, School of Pharmacy, Baltimore 21201.
authors.forename: F D
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Favin
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Klein-Schwartz
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Oderda
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Rose
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D002606:Charcoal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D005750:Gastric Juice; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000506:poisoning; D016651:Lithium Carbonate
chemical_list: D002606:Charcoal; D016651:Lithium Carbonate; D008094:Lithium