Effect of whole bowel irrigation on the pharmacokinetics of an acetaminophen formulation and progression of radiopaque markers through the gastrointestinal tract.
OBJECTIVE
We describe the effects of whole bowel irrigation on a delayed-release acetaminophen preparation. We compare the mechanical effect of whole bowel irrigation on the progression of radiopaque markers through the gastrointestinal tract between an experimental and a control group.


METHODS
We performed a 2-armed, prospective, randomized, crossover volunteer study. In the experimental phase, subjects were administered a delayed-release acetaminophen preparation (75 mg/kg) along with a capsule containing radiopaque markers. We initiated whole bowel irrigation at 30 minutes after ingestion and continued until the rectal effluent was clear. Serum acetaminophen concentrations were measured at baseline and from 0.5 to 8 hours. Abdominal radiographs were obtained at the completion of whole bowel irrigation. In the control phase, whole bowel irrigation was not performed. The primary outcome measure was the effect on the area under the acetaminophen concentration versus time curve (AUC) between the 2 groups.


RESULTS
Ten subjects participated in the study. We found an 11.5% reduction in the AUC, with the majority of the effect occurring in the delayed-release portion of the curve after the 2-hour mark. This reduction, however, was not statistically significant. Radiographs obtained at the end of whole bowel irrigation revealed radiopaque markers sequestered in the right hemicolon in 8 of 10 subjects. No discernible pattern was noted in the control arm.


CONCLUSIONS
The effect of whole bowel irrigation on reduction of AUC for delayed-release acetaminophen preparation was not statistically significant. Whole bowel irrigation did appear to have a mechanical effect on the progression of radiopaque markers through the gastrointestinal tract, but the clinical significance of this finding is not clear.
Ly
Binh T
BT
Division of Medical Toxicology, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California-San Diego Medical Center, California Poison Control System, San Diego Division, San Diego, CA 92103-8925, USA. bly@ucsd.edu
Schneir
Aaron B
AB
Clark
Richard F
RF
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D000328:Adult; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D019540:Area Under Curve; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004064:Digestive System / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008657:Metabolic Clearance Rate; D008875:Middle Aged; D011041:Poisoning / Q000628:therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D003287:Contrast Media; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D000082:Acetaminophen