EFFECT OF ACTIVATED-CHARCOAL ON THE PHARMACOKINETICS OF HIGH-DOSE METHOTREXATE

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 66  (5) , 1169-1171
Abstract
The serum methotrexate (MTX) concentrations were estimated in 2 groups of patients after 6-h i.v. infusion of 1 g/m2 of MTX and leucovorin rescue. One group (7 patients) received 25 g of activated charcoal orally at 12, 18, 24, 36 and 48 h, while the other group served as a control (8 patients). Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed a significant reduction in the area under concentration curve from 18 h until the serum MTX levels reached 10-8 M. The MTX concentrations were significantly lower in the group that received charcoal than in the control group, at 18, 24, 36, 48, 60 and 72 h from the end of infusion. First and second half-life values for the control and the charcoal-treated groups did not differ significantly. Charcoal may aid in the elimination of MTX from the body by interruption of the enterohepatic circulation of the drug. Activated charcoal did not cause any undesirable effects.

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