Hemodialysis is as effective as hemoperfusion for drug removal in carbamazepine poisoning.

Although most authors recommend charcoal hemoperfusion (CHP) for the removal of carbamazepine (CBZ) in acute CBZ poisoning, we present a case where we had the chance to compare CHP with hemodialysis (HD). A 50-year-old white man with normal renal function ingested an unknown quantity of CBZ with lithium. He was dialyzed for 3 h and his serum CBZ level was reduced by 27.7%. Four hours later he also had a 3-hour CHP which further reduced his CBZ level by 25.3%. Therefore we conclude that HD with high-flux dialyzers is at least as effective as CHP for the removal of CBZ from the blood after CBZ intoxication. Copyright 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel