Īlthough activated charcoal is the most commonly used agent for GI decontamination in poisoned patients, medical professionals use discretion when determining whether or not its use is indicated. It is not effective for a number of poisonings including: strong acids or bases, iron, lithium, arsenic, methanol, ethanol or ethylene glycol. Medical uses Poison ingestion Īctivated charcoal is used to treat many types of oral poisonings such as phenobarbital and carbamazepine. 1.2 Gastrointestinal tract-related issues.It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. While charcoal has been used since ancient times for poisonings, activated charcoal has been used since the 1900s. Activated charcoal works by adsorbing the toxin. Use in pregnancy and breastfeeding is generally safe. Gastrointestinal obstruction and ileus are less common but serious adverse effects.
A more serious side effect, pneumonitis, may result if aspirated into the lungs. Ĭommon side effects include vomiting, black stools, diarrhea, and constipation.
Other uses include inside hemoperfusion machines. It may be taken by mouth or given by a nasogastric tube. It does not work for poisonings by cyanide, corrosive agents, iron, lithium, alcohols, or malathion. To be effective it must be used within a short time of the poisoning occurring, typically an hour. Activated charcoal, also known as activated carbon, is a medication used to treat poisonings that occurred by mouth.
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