Low-volume whole bowel irrigation and salicylate absorption: a comparison with ipecac-charcoal.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate two methods of gastrointestinal decontamination, low-volume whole bowel irrigation (WBI) and activated charcoal, for their ability to prevent absorption of salicylate.


METHODS
Randomized, two-phase crossover study.


METHODS
A clinical research unit in a university-based teaching hospital.


METHODS
Six healthy, volunteer men.


METHODS
Subjects were assigned to receive 3000 ml WBI or syrup of ipecac 30 ml followed by activated charcoal 50 g in sorbitol, and were crossed over to the other treatment phase after 1 week. All treatments began 30 minutes after ingestion of 3.25 g aspirin. Urine was collected over 24 hours for analysis of total urinary excretion of salicylate. Serial blood samples were collected for salicylate determination and were subjected to pharmacokinetic analysis.


RESULTS
Mean +/- SD recovery of salicylate were WBI 48.6 +/- 5.4% and ipecac-charcoal 37.0 +/- 2.6% from urine (p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Ipecac-charcoal produced a significantly lower salicylate absorption (peak concentration, AUC) than WBI (p < 0.01) and thus was superior to low-volume WBI.
Olsen
K M
KM
Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock 72205.
Ma
F H
FH
Ackerman
B H
BH
Stull
R E
RE
D000328:Adult; D002606:Charcoal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D007422:Intestines; D007486:Ipecac / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D011041:Poisoning / Q000628:therapy; D012459:Salicylates / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000379:methods*
D012459:Salicylates; D002606:Charcoal; D007486:Ipecac