Activated charcoal: Difference between revisions
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[[Category:EMS]] |
Revision as of 16:50, 11 August 2013
Background
- Does not work with:
- Iron
- Lithium
- Lead
- Hydrocarbons
- Toxic alcohols
Indications
- Ingested drug is adsorbed by charcoal AND one of the following:
- Time since ingestion is less than 1-2hr
- Drug has significant enterohepatic circulation
- Drug delays gastric emptying AND time since ingestion is <4hr
- Drug is a controlled release preparation AND time since ingestion is <12-18hr
Dose
- 1gm/kg PO
- Mix with water or juice
Administration
- PO (at least 50 g of charcoal within 20min)
- It is NOT necessary for charcoal to be administered by a NGT or OGT
- Improved taste if activated charcoal is chilled
- In children, may mix with juice, yogurt or ice-cream
- See also Gastric Lavage
Complications
- Aspiration
- Bowel obstruction