CHARCOAL, ACTIVATED

Chemistry - Activated charcoal occurs as a fine, black, odorless, tasteless powder that is insolublein water or alcohol. Commercially available activated charcoal products may differ in theiradsorptive properties, but one gram must adsorb 100 mg of strychnine sulfate in 50 ml of water tomeet USP standards. Activated charcoal has several synonyms including: active carbon, activatedcarbon, adsorbent charcoal, decolorizing carbon, or medicinal charcoal.

Storage, Stability, Compatibility

Store activated charcoal in well-closed glass or metal containers or in the manufacturer's supplied container.

Pharmacology - CHARCOAL, ACTIVATED

Activated charcoal adsorbs many chemicals and drugs in the upper GI tractthereby preventing or reducing their absorption. While activated charcoal also adsorbs variousnutrients and enzymes from the gut, when used for acute poisonings, no clinical significanceusually results. Activated charcoal reportedly is not effective in adsorbing cyanide, but this has beendisputed in a recent study. It also is not very effective in adsorbing alcohols, ferrous sulfate, causticalkalies, nitrates, sodium chloride/chlorate, petroleum distillates or mineral acids.

Uses, Indications

Activated charcoal is administered orally to adsorb certain drugs or toxins toprevent or reduce their systemic absorption.

Pharmacokinetics - CHARCOAL, ACTIVATED

Activated charcoal is not absorbed nor metabolized in the gut.

Contraindications, Precautions, Reproductive Safety

Charcoal should not be used for mineralacids or caustic alkalies as it is ineffective. Although not contraindicated for ethanol, methanol, oriron salts, activated charcoal is not very effective in adsorbing these products and may obscure GIlesions during endoscopy.

Adverse Effects, Warnings

Very rapid GI administration of charcoal can induce emesis.
Charcoal can cause either constipation or diarrhea and feces will be black. Products containingsorbitol may cause loose stools and vomiting.
Charcoal powder is very staining and the dry powder tends to "float" covering wide areas.

Overdosage, Acute Toxicity

None reported when used for acute therapy; see Adverse Effectsabove for more information.

Drug Interactions

Separate by at least 3 hours administration of any other orally administeredtherapeutic agents from the charcoal dose. Charcoal should not be administered with dairyproducts or mineral oil as the adsorptive properties of the charcoal will be diminished. Do notadminister (at the same time) with syrup of ipecac as the charcoal can adsorb the ipecac and reduceits efficacy.