Effect of charcoal hemoperfusion on clearance of pentamidine isethionate after accidental overdose.
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.
Watts
R G
RG
Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham 35233, USA.
Conte
J E
JE
Zurlinden
E
E
Waldo
F B
FB
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*
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D002606:Charcoal; D010419:Pentamidine