Chromium supplements may cause serious renal impairment when ingested in excess. Medication histories should include attention to the use of OTC nutritional supplements often regarded as harmless by the public and lay media.

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Hemoperfusion consists of the passage of anticoagulated blood through a column containing adsorbent particles. It was introduced in 1940 and refined from 1950 to 1970, and then introduced clinically for the treatment of acute intoxications between 1970 and 1980. Life-threatening valproic acid toxicity is an indication for coated charcoal hemoperfusion usually accomplished without complications, but we report a case of acute severe intravascular hemolysis during the time of hemoperfusion with coated charcoal column.

Objective To review and compare the risks of nonnarcotic analgesic toxicities in adults and estimate the relative healthcare costs of these toxicities, since direct comparison of costs is not possible. Data Sources A MEDLINE search of the literature from 1969 to 1995 was used to identify pertinent data. Additional references were identified from articles obtained in the search. Information was obtained from prospective, retrospective, controlled, and uncontrolled studies; case reports; and review articles. Data Extraction Estimates of annual US costs of toxicities were extrapolated and synthesized from data from diagnosis-related groups, published information about the incidence of toxicity, or local data. Data Synthesis Chronic use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is associated with a high incidence of acute renal toxicity and gastrointestinal toxicity. The most common problems associated with acetaminophen use are hepatotoxicity after acute ingestion of large doses (>10 g) or habitual use of smaller doses (<4 g), particularly in alcoholic patients, and chronic analgesic nephropathy. Aspirin use is associated with a high incidence of gastrointestinal and acute renal toxicity in certain patient groups. Available data suggest that acetaminophen, used intermittently, remains the nonnarcotic analgesic of choice in many patient populations, including those with impaired renal function, gastrointestinal disease, and bleeding disorders. Estimated annua] US costs associated with the toxicities of acetaminophen (excluding hepatotoxicity), aspirin (acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding only), and NSAIDs (excluding non-upper gastrointestinal hemorrhagic complications and hepatotoxicity) are about $51.5 million, $458.6 million, and $1.35 billion, respectively. Conclusions Intermittent use of most nonnarcotic analgesics produces a small risk of chronic renal or hepatic toxicity. Gastrointestinal toxicity, especially upper gastrointestinal bleeding, remains a significant problem with NSAIDs and aspirin. Acetaminophen remains the nonnarcotic analgesic of choice for intermittent use by most patient groups. The toxicities associated with NSAIDs constitute about 72.6% of the total toxicities (costs $1.86 billion) caused by NSAIDs, acetaminophen, and aspirin.

Background Use of intermittent antibiotic dosing is increasing in the treatment of peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related peritonitis. We studied the pharmacokinetics of intravenous (IV) piperacillin in automated PD patients. Patients and Methods Eight patients (3 males, 5 females) were recruited and received a single IV dose of piperacillin (35 mg/kg actual body weight). Blood and dialysate samples were collected at the beginning, middle, and end of dwells 1 – 3 (on cycler), and end of dwells 4 – 5 (off cycler) for a 24-hour period. Baseline and 24-hour urine samples (nonanuric patients, n = 7) were collected. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated assuming a one-compartment model. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and piperacillin clearance (CL) values were normalized to 1.73 m2. Results The patients were 49.5 ± 10.1 years of age (mean ± SD) and had been receiving PD for a median of 3 months (range 2 – 66 months). Dwell times were 2.25 ± 0.06 hours on cycler and 7.26 ± 0.14 hours off cycler. Piperacillin half-life was not statistically different on or off the cycler (on cycler 1.99 ± 0.39 hr, off cycler 4.39 ± 5.4 hr; p = 0.12) and remained insignificant, even accounting for an outlier (on cycler 2.01 ± 0.41 hr, off cycler 2.54 ± 1.48 hr; p = 0.19). Piperacillin total CL (CLT) was 31.29 ± 6.02 mL/minute. Renal CL (CLR) and PD CL (CLPD) accounted for 8.8% and 16.8% of CLT; CLR correlated well with GFR (CLR = 0.86 GFR + 0.1; p < 0.000 03). Mean piperacillin serum and dialysate end-of-dwell concentrations were above minimum inhibitory concentration of susceptible organisms (8 μg/mL) for the three cycler exchanges only. Serum and dialysate concentrations predicted using a one-compartment model suggest that IV piperacillin 4000 mg would provide adequate concentrations for susceptible organisms over a 12-hour period. Conclusion The current IV piperacillin dosing recommendations of 4000 mg every 12 hours for PD-related peritonitis are appropriate for patients on automated PD. Intermittent intraperitoneal piperacillin is not recommended.