Cholestyramine as an antidote against paracetamol-induced hepato- and nephrotoxicity in the rat.

Besides hepatotoxicity, paracetamol may exert nephrotoxic effects in experimental animals and man. The present study in rats shows that cholestyramine given 4 and 24 h after paracetamol provided protection against both hepato- and nephrotoxicity; this was evidenced by reduced increments in plasma enzyme activities (SDH, GPT), indicating liver damage, and diminished retention of plasma and creatinine, indicating renal failure. The recovery of paracetamol and its conjugates in urine was markedly reduced by cholestyramine at 24-48 h after treatment. The protective effects of cholestyramine are explained by adsorption of paracetamol and conjugates in the intestine undergoing biliary excretion and enterohepatic circulation.