activated charcoal

Last reviewed 01/2018

This is often administered in cases of self-poisoning. It has two roles:

• to reduce absorption of drug - given immediately after lavage or emesis in a dose approximately 10 times that of of the suspected drug
• to accelerate drug clearance - given in repeated doses eg. 50 g four-hourly - in salicylate, theophylline, carbamazepine, phenobarbitone and digoxin overdose

It is unhelpful in poisoning from:

• cyanide
• iron
• ethanol
• lithium
• acid or alkali
• pesticides

Patients should be warned that it is unpalatable and will blacken their stools.