Whole-bowel irrigation versus activated charcoal in sorbitol for the ingestion of modified-release pharmaceuticals

Overdose with modified-release pharmaceuticals is an increasing phenomenon. This study examines whole-bowel irrigation as a potential decontamination strategy after overdose with enteric-coated acetylsalicylic acid and compares it with administration of activated charcoal in sorbitol, which is currently the recommended intervention. A three-phase randomized crossover protocol was used in 10 adult volunteers. Each volunteer ingested nine 325 mg doses of enteric-coated acetylsalicylic acid on three occasions, with at least 1 week between each administration period. Serum samples were analyzed for salicylic acid concentration by HPLC. Both interventions decreased peak salicylic acid concentration, time-to-zero salicylic acid concentration, and AUC when compared with control (p less than 0.01). Whole-bowel irrigation was superior to activated charcoal in sorbitol by all three criteria (p less than 0.05). Adverse effects were qualitatively and quantitatively greater during activated charcoal in sorbitol, and the volunteers preferred whole-bowel irrigation over charcoal in sorbitol. Our data suggest that whole-bowel irrigation should be considered for overdose of other modified-release pharmaceuticals.