Activated charcoal

General information

Activated charcoal is a standard therapy for gut decontamination after self-poisoning. It has two uses. If given within an hour or two after acute self-poisoning it can adsorb the drug and prevent it from being absorbed; in this case a single dose of activated charcoal 50 g is sufficient. However, some drugs are secreted into the gut after absorption and can be adsorbed by charcoal, preventing re-absorption; in such cases, repeated doses of activated charcoal 50 g 6-hourly can be used.

In a randomized study in 401 patients who had taken an overdose of oleander seeds, which contain cardiac glycosides, activated charcoal 50 g every 6 hours for 3 days was compared with sterile water. There were fewer deaths in the treatment group, 2.5% versus 8% [ ]. There were no important adverse reactions.