Adult Dosing
Poisoning or drug overdose
- Single-dose treatment: 25-100 g (120-480 mL) PO x 1
- Multiple-dose treatment: Start with 50-100 g (240-480 mL) PO x 1, followed by 12.5 g PO q1 hr; Alt: 25 g PO q2 hrs or 50 g PO q4 hrs PRN
Note:
- To be administered preferably within 30–60 minutes of ingestion of the poison
Pediatric Dosing
Poisoning or drug overdose
- Children <1 yr
- Single-dose treatment: 10-25 g PO x 1; Alt: 0.5-1 g/kg PO x 1
- Multiple-dose treatment: Start with 10-25 g (48-120 mL) PO x1, followed by 1-2 g/kg q2-4 hrs
- Children 1-12 yrs
- Single-dose treatment: 25-50 g (120-240 mL) PO x 1; Alt: 0.5-1 g/kg PO x 1
- Multiple-dose treatment: Start with 10-25 g (48-120 mL) PO x1, followed by 1-2 g/kg q2-4 hrs PRN
- Children 13 yrs
- Single-dose treatment: 25-100 g (120-480 mL) PO x 1
- Multiple-dose treatment: Start with 50-100 g (240-480 mL) PO x 1, followed by 12.5 g PO q1 hr; Alt: 25 g PO q2 hrs or 50 g PO q4 hrs PRN
Note:
- To be administered preferably within 30–60 minutes of ingestion of the poison
[Outline]
- Therapy should be used in a supervised medical facility or under the direction of a physician or poison control center
- Do not give activated charcoal if the patient has been given ipecac syrup until after last vomiting episode
- Therapy is not recommended in individuals who are not fully conscious
- Product should not be used unless directed by a health professional, if turpentine, corrosives, such as alkalies and strong acids, or petroleum distillates have been ingested
- Avoid use in children weighing <32 kg or during multiple-dose treatments, because excessive catharsis and significant fluid and electrolyte abnormalities may occur
- Not recommended for use in individuals with a rare autosomal recessive genetic intolerance to fructose
- Activated charcoal is used as an adjunct in the management of poisoning emergencies; hence, proper basic life support measures and appropriate gastric emptying technique should be implemented prior to the use of activated charcoal
- Inform patients that activated charcoal will produce black stools, that may be diarrhetic and may persist for several hours
- Activated charcoal may cause gastrointestinal obstruction as a consequence of toxin-induced antiperistaltic effects. Exercise caution in patients who have been exposed to toxins which interfere with GI tract peristalsis. Monitor bowel sounds frequently to assess peristaltic action, especially in patients undergoing multiple-dose activated charcoal therapy
Cautions: Use cautiously in
- Impaired GI motility
- Multiple dose
- Volume depletion
Pregnancy Category:NR
Breastfeeding: Safety unknown; consider risk before initiating treatment in breast-feeding mothers.
US Trade Name(s)
US Availability
Actidose-Aqua
- OTC SUSP: 15 g/72 mL
- OTC SUSP: 25 g/120 mL
- OTC SUSP: 50 g/240 mL
Canadian Trade Name(s)
- Adrien Gagnon Charbon Active/Activated Charcoal Capsules
- Charac-25
- Charac-50
- Charactol-25
- Charactol-50
- Charcodote Susp
- Charcodote TFS Sus
- Charcodote-Aqueous Sus
- Premium Activated Charcoal
Canadian Availability
Activated charcoal (generic)
- CAPS: 225 mg
- CAPS: 260 mg
- PWDR for SOLN: 1 g/1 g
- PWDR: 100%
Adrien Gagnon Charbon Active/Activated Charcoal Capsules
Charac-25
Charac-50
Charactol-25
Charactol-50
Charcodote Susp
Charcodote TFS Sus
Charcodote-Aqueous Sus
Premium Activated Charcoal
UK Trade Name(s)
- Actidose-Aqua Advance
- Carbomix
UK Availability
Actidose-Aqua Advance
Carbomix
Australian Trade Name(s)
- Carbosorb X
- Charcocaps
- Charcotabs
- Karbons
Australian Availability
Carbosorb X
Charcocaps
Charcotabs
Karbons
[Outline]