In Vitro Study of Adsorption Kinetics of Dextromethorphan Syrup onto Activated Charcoal in Simulated Gastric and Intestinal Fluids

Abstract

Adsorption kinetics of dextromethorphan (DXM) syrup in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids onto activated charcoal (AC) were investigated in an in vitro model. The adsorption studies were performed as a function of time, initial concentration, and temperature. The quantification of DXM adsorbed onto AC was obtained from the Langmuir adsorption isotherms using HPLC. The maximum adsorption capacities (at 95% confidence limits) of AC for DXM were 111.615 [106.38; 126.85] mg in simulated intestinal environment (pH 6.8) and 78.314 [86.206; 70.422] mg in simulated gastric environment (pH 1.2). The adsorption capacity of AC for DXM in simulated gastric fluid (pH 1.2) was not significantly different from the adoption capacity of AC for DXM in simulated intestinal fluid (pH 6.8). Moreover, the adsorption kinetics behavior of dextromethorphan onto AC followed pseudo-second-order kinetics. Our results show that AC in therapeutically acceptable doses can be beneficial in the majority of oral overdose of DXM.

Kinetic adsorption of drugs using carbon nanofibers in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids

“…have reported in vitro adsorption of dextromethorphan syrup which is an over‐the‐counter antitussive drug using activated charcoal in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids. They have showed that the use of activated charcoal might be the most effective approach for the dextromethorphan overdose treatment 5 . Nabais et al.…”

“…They have showed that the use of activated charcoal might be the most effective approach for the dextromethorphan overdose treatment. 5 Nabais et al have tested one of the most widely used antidepressant drugs, fluoxetine removal capacity of activated carbons, and activated carbon fibers. 6 Commercial activated carbon was also tested for metamizole sodium (dipyrone) adsorption in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids at the temperature of human body in one of our previous studies.…”