Activated charcoal
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.
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