Dosing & Uses
Dosage Forms & Strengths
tablets
- 250mg
capsules
- 260mg
liquid
- 208 mg/mL
suspension
- 25g
- 50g
pellets for suspension
- 25mg
Overdose, Poisoning
1 g/kg, 25-100 g PO
Alternatively 10 g charcoal/1 g drug ratio
Minimum dose = 25 g
Commonly used with sorbitol 25 g; multiple dose regimen 25 g PO q2hr or 50 g q4hr without sorbitol
DO NOT give sorbitol after first dose due to risk for severe diarrhea; use aqueous solution
Dose cathartic once daily if used
Shake vigorously prior to use
Administer in closed container with straw; may place on ice to improve taste; mix 1:3 soda for pediatrics
Multiple doses used with dapsone, carbamazepine, digitoxin and digoxin, phenobarbital, theophylline, meprobamate, quinine
Dosage Forms & Strengths
tablets
- 250mg
capsules
- 260mg
liquid
- 208 mg/mL
suspension
- 25g
- 50g
pellets for suspension
- 25mg
Poisoning
Aqueous suspension
- Infants: 1 g/kg/ dose PO; may repeat q4-6hr
- Children: 1-2 g/kg/dose (or 25-50 g/dose) PO; may repeat q4-6hr
- Adolescents: 5-10 times the estimated weight of drug/chemical ingested (or 50-100 g/dose) PO; may repeat q4-6hr
Sorbitol suspension
- Infants and children: Not indicated; due to risk for severe diarrhea associated with sorbitol suspension, the aqueous formulation is recommended
- Adolescents: 50 g as a single dose PO; not recommended for multiple dosage regimens (use aqueous solutions for repeat dosing)
Interactions
Interaction Checker
No Results
Contraindicated
Serious - Use Alternative
Significant - Monitor Closely
Minor
Adverse Effects
Frequency Not Defined
Common
- Black stool
- Constipation
Rare
- Slowing of intestinal tract
- Blocking of intestinal tract
- Regurgitation into the lungs
- Dehydration
Warnings
Contraindications
Intestinal obstruction
Unprotected airway (aspiration may occur)
Caustic ingestions
Cautions
Vomiting may occur
Caution in patients with decreased peristalsis
Ipecac may decrease effectiveness of activated charcoal
Sorbitol or other cathartics may increase risk of significant electrolyte abnormalities
Capsules or tablets not recommended for treatment of poisoning
Product containing sorbitol not for use in patients with fructose intolerance
Note: not effective with alcohols, caustics (contraindicated), iron, lithium, heavy metals, mineral acids
Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Adsorbs a variety of drugs and chemicals (eg, physical binding of a molecule to the surface of charcoal particles); desorbtion of bound particals may occur unless the ratio of charcoal to toxin is extremely high
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption: None
Metabolism: None
Excretion: Unchanged in feces
