CHARCOAL HAEMOPERFUSION FOR PARACETAMOL OVERDOSE

1 A controlled trial of charcoal haemoperfusion as an early treatment for paracetamol overdose showed no benefit. 2 The plasma clearances of paracetamol by the charcoal column were variable and disappointingly small (range 4-119 ml/minute). The cumulative amounts removed were also low, mean 1.4 g (range 0.2-5.2 g). 3 No clinical problems were encountered with the technique of haemoperfusion and in particular the drop in blood platelet counts was small (mean fall 16%).