Drug clearance by diarrhea induction

Perfusion of the gastrointestinal tract with electrolyte solution has been used as an equivalent to peritoneal dialysis in patients with renal failure. It was hypothesized that the back-diffusion into the gastrointestinal tract induced by this procedure could affect systemically circulating drugs as well. Nine dogs were given intravenous phenobarbital and subjected to gastrointestinal perfusion in attempt to lower serum levels. All dogs served as their own controls. Decline in serum phenobarbital level was used to calculate the amount of drug removed from circulation. Five hours after initiation of gastrointestinal perfusion, the experimental dogs had cleared 24.8% of the initial dose of phenobarbital, while controls cleared 3.13% of the initial dose of phenobarbital. This procedure could be of potential benefit to patients in emergency departments who have ingested toxic substances.