PHARMACOLOGY Examining activated charcoal ... • Activated charcoal does not significantly alter valproic acid elimination, say researchers in the UK. In a crossover study, they randomised 8 healthy volunteers to receive oral valproic acid [sodium valproate] 300mg followed by 160ml of water after 4 hours and 80ml after 24 and 32 hours, or valproic acid 300mg followed by oral activated charcoal 20g in 160ml of water after 4 hours, then charcoal 109 in 80ml of water every 4 hours for 12 hours and again at 24 and 32 hours. The alternate treatment was given after a washout period of at least 7 days. The pharmacokinetics of valproic acid including the maximum concentration (CmU>, the time to Cmax' the elimination half-life, and the AUCO-48 were not significantly different between the 2 treatment regimens. AJ·Shareef A, et aI. The effect of repeated-dose activated charcoal on the pharmacokinetics of sodium valproate in healthy volunteers. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 43: 109·111, Jan 1997 0004_

• Activated charcoal is effective in preventing amlodipine absorption in cases of overdose, say researchers in Finland. In this study 32 fasting volunteers were randomised into 4 equal groups to receive oral amlodipine IOmg with 300ml water 300ml, amlodipine (and water) followed immediately by oral activated charcoal 25g, amlodipine (and water) followed 2 hours later by activated charcoal 25g, or amlodipine (and water) followed by activated charcoal 6 hours later. Amlodipine absorption was reduced by 99% (as determined by AUC levels) in those who received charcoal immediately and by 49% and 15% in the group in which charcoal administration was delayed by 2 and 6 hours, respectively. Administration of activated charcoal may be beneficial 'even several hours after amlodipine ingestion' suggest the researchers, in view of the generally slow absorption of calcium antagonists after an overdose. Laine K, ct al. Prevention of amlodipine absorption by activated charcoal: effect of delay in charcoal administration. British Journal of Clinical Phannacology 43: 29·33, Jan 1997 0004966>4

1173-8324197/10n.OOO191$01.000 Adlslnternatlonal Limited 1997. All rights reserved

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Inphanna- 8 Mar 1997 No. 1077

PHARMACOLOGY Examining activated charcoal ... • Activated charcoal does not significantly alter valproic acid elimination, say researchers in the UK. In a crossover study, they randomised 8 healthy volunteers to receive oral valproic acid [sodium valproate] 300mg followed by 160ml of water after 4 hours and 80ml after 24 and 32 hours, or valproic acid 300mg followed by oral activated charcoal 20g in 160ml of water after 4 hours, then charcoal 109 in 80ml of water every 4 hours for 12 hours and again at 24 and 32 hours. The alternate treatment was given after a washout period of at least 7 days. The pharmacokinetics of valproic acid including the maximum concentration (CmU>, the time to Cmax' the elimination half-life, and the AUCO-48 were not significantly different between the 2 treatment regimens. AJ·Shareef A, et aI. The effect of repeated-dose activated charcoal on the pharmacokinetics of sodium valproate in healthy volunteers. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 43: 109·111, Jan 1997 8004_

• Activated charcoal is effective in preventing amlodipine absorption in cases of overdose, say researchers in Finland. In this study 32 fasting volunteers were randomised into 4 equal groups to receive oral amlodipine IOmg with 300ml water 300ml, amlodipine (and water) followed immediately by oral activated charcoal 25g, amlodipine (and water) followed 2 hours later by activated charcoal 25g, or amlodipine (and water) followed by activated charcoal 6 hours later. Amlodipine absorption was reduced by 99% (as determined by AUC levels) in those who received charcoal immediately and by 49% and 15% in the group in which charcoal administration was delayed by 2 and 6 hours, respectively. Administration of activated charcoal may be beneficial 'even several hours after amlodipine ingestion' suggest the researchers, in view of the generally slow absorption of calcium antagonists after an overdose. Laine K, et al. Prevention of amlodipine absorption by activated charcoal: effect of delay in charcoal administration. British Journal of Clinical Phannacology 43: 29·33, Jan 1997 8004966>4

1173-8324197/10n.OOO191$01.000 Adlslnternatlonal Limited 1997. All rights reservsd

19

Inphanna· 8 Mar 1997 No. 1077