Absorption of drugs from continent caecal reservoir for urine

The possibility of drug absorption from a continent caecal reservoir for urine was studied in 3 men with well functioning reservoirs. Saline solutions of digoxin, theophylline or terbutaline were instilled into the reservoir, each on a separate occasion, and drug concentrations in plasma and urine were measured for 24 h thereafter. Theophylline, but not terbutaline or digoxin, was absorbed from the reservoir. Estimated from an intravenous reference dose, the uptake of theophylline from the reservoir was approximately 50%. In patients with this type of urinary diversion, therefore, reabsorption from the continent caecal reservoir may complicate drug therapy.