Absorption of sulfamethoxazole and albumin from the peritoneal cavity.

The rates of disappearance of sulfamethoxazole and albumin from the peritoneal cavity were measured in humans. Albumin was added to the peritoneal cavity in concentrations commonly found during peritonitis (250-500 mg/100 ml) to ascertain if protein binding within the peritoneal cavity inhibited absorption from the peritoneal cavity. There were no statistical differences between the removal rates; 64-70% of the administered dose was absorbed after 180 min of intraperitoneal residence. The addition of albumin to the peritoneal cavity did not alter absorption of sulfamethoxazole. The total protein removed in dialysate effluent in the absence of albumin was 1,653 +/- 906 mg. The protein losses when albumin was added to dialysate [( albumin + control losses] - losses in dialysate drainage) were 1,037 +/- 2,305 mg and 1,364 +/- 1,653 mg for the 6 and 12 g studies.