Charcoal hemoperfusion for treatment of serious carbamazepine poisoning.

A case of severe carbamazepine intoxication (total dose 80 g) is reported. Because of deep coma and cardiovascular symptoms, intensive care and hemoperfusion were employed. The carbamazepine hemoperfusion clearance rate was 80-90 ml/min, but due to a probable ongoing absorption from the gut the effect of hemoperfusion was limited. Long hemoperfusion periods are recommended due to the pharmacokinetic pattern of carbamazepine.