Charcoal/activated (Charcoal)

Category:

  • Antidote

Description:

  • Adsorbent, detoxicant

Indications:

  • Emergency treatment in most poisonings

Contraindications:

  • Unconsciousness, semiconsciousness

  • Poisoning with cyanide, mineral acids, alkalies

Precautions:

  • Absence of bowel sounds

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

  • GI: black stools, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting

Dosage:

Administered orally

  • Adult: Poisoning: 

    • PO 25-100g (or 1 g/kg or approximately 10 times the amount of poisoning ingested)

    • may give 20-40g every 6 hours for 1-2 days in severe poisoning

  • Child <1year: Poisoning: 

    • 1 g/kg as single dose

  • Child 1-12 years: Poisoning: 

    • 25-50g as single dose

Drug Interaction:

  • Digitalis glycosides: Reduced digoxin levels; less effect on digitoxin

 

 

Source: Operational Medicine 2001,  Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300

Gynecology and Obstetrics CD-ROM
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2004 Edition
 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
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