In vitro suppression of drug‐induced methaemoglobin formation by Intralipid® in whole human blood: observations relevant to the ‘lipid sink theory’*

Summary To provide further evidence for the lipid sink theory, we have developed an in vitro model to assess the effect of Intralipid® 20% on methaemoglobin formation by drugs of varying lipid solubility. Progressively increasing Intralipid concentrations from 4 to 24 mg.ml−1 suppressed methaemoglobin formation by the lipid soluble drug glyceryl trinitrate in a dose-dependent manner (p   0.5). This work may assist determination of the suitability of drugs taken in overdose for which Intralipid might be deployed.