Activated Charcoal

Caution in Comatose/Drowsy patients at risk of aspiration so ensure airway protected so involve anaesthetists

About: Always check the BNF link here

• Lack of clear evidence of benefit in many episodes of toxicity

Mode of action

• Surface area in excess of 1500 m²/g.
• Multiple-dose activated charcoal is thought to produce its beneficial effect by interrupting the enteroenteric
• Can also interrupt enterohepatic and the enterogastric circulation of drug

Dosing

• Single dose of 50g with water (salicylates/paracetamol)
• Repeated doses (50g/4h) to increase elimination of some drugs from the blood

Indications for repeated dosing is Toxicity due to

• Carbamazepine, Dapsone, phenobarbital
• Quinine, Theophylline, Phenytoin, Digoxin,
• Paracetamol, Aspirin - useful with salicylates
• Teriflunomide and Leflunomide

Do Not use with

• Petroleum products, corrosives,
• Alcohols, clofenotane, malathion
• Metal salts (eg iron, lithium)

Dose range:You must check with BNF or drug datasheet

Side effects

• Constipation

References

• Activated Charcoal at BNF