Activated Charcoal Adsorption of Theophylline in Vitro

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Abstract
This study was initiated to evaluate the in vitro efficacy of activated charcoal as a potential agent in the treatment of acute theophylline overdoses. Two, ten, and twenty mg/ml solutions were analyzed for theophylline concentration by high-pressure cation-exchange chromatography before and after shaking with 10 g of activated charcoal. The results indicate that 1 g of activated charcoal may adsorb in vitro as much as 300 mg of theophylline. Controlled studies in humans are now indicated. A wide variety of written forms of prescription drug information for patients are catalogued and discussed. These materials are designed to be delivered by the pharmacist, the physician or the nurse, or to serve as general reference material provided directly to consumers. Materials that describe specific prescription drugs come in the form of stickers or folded sheets directly attached to the medicine container, checklists, wallet or index card size materials, one page sheets, leaflets, brochures and booklets. The best form of patient oriented prescription drug printed material must be evaluated in the context of the goal that it is desired to achieve. Whereas shorter materials are more apt to be read, they cannot provide complete information, the rationale or explanations for the cause or prevention of therapeutic or adverse drug effects. The importance of providing written prescription drug information to patients is indicated by the fact that many health care professionals produce or distribute these materials to augment and reinforce verbal consultation. In addition, consumer surveys indicate that written communication is a preferred source for this additional information. The examination of existing forms of written prescription drug information for patients is particularly relevant to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Senior officials in the FDA have announced support for the concept of written reinforcement of verbal consultation and have said that plans will be proposed for the expanded requirement of patient oriented prescription drug labeling via patient package inserts.