Extracorporeal elimination of butalbital in acute aspirin–butalbital–caffeine–codeine (Fiorinal with Codeine) poisoning

Abstract

Background: Butalbital is a small molecule (approximately 220 Da), with 26% protein binding, a 0.8 L/kg volume of distribution, and is eliminated nearly 80% unchanged in the urine. Although hemodialysis has been used to treat overdoses of other barbiturates, the extracorporeal clearance of butalbital is unknown. The objective of this case is to describe the use of extracorporeal therapy to augment elimination of butalbital after an overdose of aspirin 325 mg–butalbital 50 mg–caffeine 40 mg with codeine 30 mg (Fiorinal with Codeine).

Methods: This is a case report of a single patient.

Results: A 67-year-old female was admitted to the medical intensive care unit approximately 3 h after ingestion of 40 tablets of Fiorinal with Codeine. Her presentation was notable for a decline in mental status, preserved renal function and a relatively low peak salicylate concentration at 46.4 mg/dL (3.4 mmol/L). Approximately 8 h after ingestion of 2000 mg of butalbital, our patient’s serum concentration was 26.9 mg/L (normal <10 mg/L). At the end of a four-hour hemodialysis session, the total body elimination of butalbital was approximately 60% which corresponded to an intradialytic clearance of 233–300 mL/min.

Conclusions: The extracorporeal clearance of butalbital observed in this case demonstrates the utility of dialysis to augment drug elimination in a Fiorinal with Codeine overdose.

Keywords:

• Barbiturate
• toxicology
• pharmacokinetics
• dialysis
• renal replacement therapy

Disclosure statement

No funding sources were used for this report. The authors have no conflicts to report.