CHARCOAL (ACTIVATED)

Oral antidote that binds many poisons in the stomach and prevents their absorption into the body

Dosage Forms

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Tablet

250 mg

Uses

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  • Prevention of absorption of poisons
  • Active elimination of some poisons after they have been absorbed

Dose and Duration

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Prevention of absorption of poisons
Adult: 50 g (200 tablets of 250 mg)
Child:25 g (100 tablets of 250 mg); use 50 g if severe poisoning
Active elimination of some poisons
Give as above but repeat every 4 hours

Preparation

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  • Grind tablets into a fine powder before mixing with 100–200 ml of water to make a suspension then drink

Contraindications

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  • Poisoning with kerosene
  • Poisoning with acids
  • Poisoning with malathion
  • Alcohol poisoning
  • Insecticide poisoning
  • Metal salts including iron and lithium salts poisoning

Side Effects

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  • Black stools

Pregnancy

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  • Can be used

Breastfeeding

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  • Can be used

⚠️ Caution

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  • The sooner charcoal is given, the more effective it is, but it may still be effective up to 2 hours after ingestion of the poison
  • Use with caution in a drowsy or comatose patient and in cases of reduced gastric motility
  • Treat any vomiting with an anti-emetic as vomiting may reduce the effectiveness of the charcoal and lead to aspiration of the poisoning agent