The stimulant effect of drugs on indocyanine green clearance by the liver.

The rate of removal of a standard dose of 25 mg indocyanine green was studied in 67 patients at the bedside using dichromatic ear densitometry. The determination of the percentage disappearance rate per minute and the half life of the dye permitted separation of patients into three groups: those with normal liver function, those with liver damage, and a group taking opiates (9), anticonvulsants (8), phenylbutazone (2), haloperidol (1), and nitrofurantoin (1). The last group showed enhanced clearance of indocyanine green from the circulation.