Charcoal, Activated
Class: Antacids and Adsorbents
VA Class: GA900
CAS Number: 16291-96-6
Brands: Actidose, Adsorba, CharcoAid G, Charcoal Plus DS, CharcoCaps, EZ-Char, Insta-Char, Liqui-Char
Introduction
Adsorbent and antidote; destructive distillation residue of organic materials with small particle size, treated to increase adsorptive power.
Uses for Charcoal, Activated
Poisonings
May be used for treatment (GI decontamination) in most oral poisonings except those involving corrosive agents (e.g., strong acids or alkalis) or substances for which its absorptive capacity is too low to be clinically useful (e.g., iron salts, lithium, boric acid, arsenic, malathion, or organic solvents such as methanol, ethanol, or ethylene glycol).
Most commonly used agent for GI decontamination in poisoned patients; however, routine administration in poisoned patients is not recommended by American Academy of Clinical Toxicology and European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists (AACT/EAPCCT). Controlled studies demonstrating reduced morbidity and mortality generally are lacking. (See General: Poisonings, under Dosage and Administration.)
Hemoperfusion
Hemoperfusion through columns of activated charcoal to remove endogenous or exogenous toxins in uremia, hepatic failure, or acute toxicity associated with overdose of certain drugs.
GI Disorders
Adsorption of intestinal gases in the treatment of flatulence, intestinal distention, and dyspepsia; FDA classified as lacking substantial evidence of efficacy as antiflatulent or digestive aid.
Has been used alone or combined with kaolin in the management of diarrhea, but value has not been established.
Wounds and Ulcers
Has been used in dressings for suppurating wounds or ulcers to decrease odor and promote healing.
Charcoal, Activated Dosage and Administration
General
Poisonings
Most effective when administered early, preferably within 30–60 minutes of poison ingestion.
Multiple-dose regimens may be considered for drugs that undergo enterohepatic or enteroenteric circulation, those with a small volume of distribution, those that are not extensively protein bound, and those with a low endogenous clearance. Also may be considered for life-threatening ingestions of phenobarbital, carbamazepine, quinine, dapsone, theophylline, paraquat, or Amanita phalloides.
Tablets or granules of activated charcoal are less effective than powder and should not be used in the treatment of poisonings.
If help from a poison control center (800-222-1222), emergency medical facility (911), or other qualified health professional cannot be obtained quickly by medically unsupervised individuals attempting to manage acute poisoning, follow directions on the container of activated charcoal.
Administration
Oral Administration
Administer activated charcoal powder orally or via nasogastric or orogastric tube as extemporaneously prepared slurry or suspension or ...
