PREVENTION OF DRUG ABSORPTION IN SIMULATED THEOPHYLLINE OVERDOSE

1 The effects of emesis, gastric lavage and oral activated charcoal on theophylline absorption were compared in healthy volunteers. 2 One of four regimes (ipecacuanha-induced emesis, gastric lavage, oral activa ted charcoal and no treatment) was randomly chosen one hour after a si mulated overdose with sustained-release theophylline on four separate occasions in twelve healthy volunteers. 3 Syrup of ipecacuanha produce d emesis in all twelve volunteers but only seven vomited any tablets. Gastric lavage yielded tablets in only one volunteer. 4 The mean syste mic availabilities (areas under the concentration-time curves relative to control) of theophylline for ipecacuanha-induced emesis, gastric l avage and charcoal, were 107.1%, 101.1% and 16.9%, respectively. 5 Ora l activated charcoal was thus highly effective, while gastric lavage a nd emesis were ineffective in preventing theophylline absorption. Acti vated charcoal is potentially the most effective first-line treatment for acute overdosage with sustained-release theophylline tablets.