title: Effect of charcoal hemoperfusion on clearance of pentamidine isethionate after accidental overdose.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pentamidine isethionate is an antimicrobial agent effective in the treatment of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis. Severe and fatal toxicity is reported with pentamidine use.
  
  
  METHODS
  A patient received an accidental overdose (40 times the prescribed dose) of intravenous pentamidine due to a pharmacy mixing error. Charcoal hemoperfusion was utilized to attempt to lower the serum concentration of pentamidine and lessen toxicity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Measurement of pentamidine concentrations in the patient's blood demonstrates a beneficial effect of hemoperfusion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Charcoal hemoperfusion may represent a useful modality in the management of pentamidine isethionate overdosage.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham 35233, USA.
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Watts
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Conte
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zurlinden
authors.forename: F B
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Waldo
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning*; D002606:Charcoal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000628:therapy*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006464:Hemoperfusion; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D010419:Pentamidine / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning*; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D002606:Charcoal; D010419:Pentamidine