ACAC (albumin-collodion coated activated charcoal) hemoperfusion: in-vitro removal and clearance of theophylline.

This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of ACAC charcoal to remove theophylline. Activated charcoal prepared according to Chang's technique was used in in vitro batch and clearance experiments. Theophylline was removed with a T1/2 of less than 5 minutes in the stirred batch experiments. The clearance studies showed values of 102, 145, and 208 ml/min (extrapolated to 300 g of ACAC charcoal), for extrapolated flow rates of 120, 240, and 360 ml/min. The ACAC charcoal is very efficient in removing theophylline in vitro from an aqueous solution. The efficiency of ACAC hemoperfusion for the treatment of severe, acute theophylline intoxication has also been demonstrated here.