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Activated charcoal, also known as activated carbon, is a medication used to treat poisonings that occurred by mouth. [1] To be effective it must be used within a short time of the poisoning occurring, typically an hour. [1] [2] It does not work for poisonings by cyanide, corrosive agents, iron, lithium, alcohols, or malathion. [2]
The initial dose of activated charcoal is most useful if given within 2 hours of initial ingestion. [9] Contraindications to the use of activated charcoal include altered mental status (due to the risk of aspiration), GI bleeding (often due to salicylates) or poor gastric motility. [9] Whole bowel irrigation using the laxative polyethylene ...
Activated charcoal has moved to the forefront as traditional treatments such as ipecac-induced vomiting or stomach pumping have fallen out of favor; in short because gastric suctioning is high ...
Clinical attempts to empty the stomach can cause further injuries. [1] Activated charcoal does not neutralize caustics and can also obscure endoscopic visualization. [ 1 ] There is no known clinical benefit of neutralization of the caustic substances; neutralization releases heat as well as causing gaseous distention and vomiting, all of which ...
Other signs and symptoms include feeling tired, dizziness, and pale skin color. [18] A number of foods and medications can turn the stool either red or black in the absence of bleeding. [2] Bismuth found in many antacids may turn stools black as may activated charcoal. [2]
[63] [62] Administering activated charcoal later than 2 hours can be considered in patients that may have delayed gastric emptying due to co-ingested drugs or following ingestion of sustained- or delayed-release paracetamol preparations. Activated charcoal should also be administered if co-ingested drugs warrant decontamination. [42]
The onset of symptoms is 10 to 120 minutes after ingestion. [26] Symptoms include seizures, a "sawhorse" stance, and opisthotonus (rigid extension of all four limbs). Death is usually secondary to respiratory paralysis. Treatment is by detoxification using activated charcoal, pentobarbital for the symptoms, and artificial respiration for apnea.
Early symptoms include intoxication, vomiting and abdominal pain. [1] Later symptoms may include a decreased level of consciousness, headache, and seizures. [1] Long term outcomes may include kidney failure and brain damage. [1] Toxicity and death may occur after drinking even in a small amount [1] as ethylene glycol is more toxic than other diols.