Formulary
Activated charcoal: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Activated charcoal clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Activated charcoal: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Activated charcoal clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
Indications and dose
**Reduction of absorption of poisons in the gastro-intestinal system**
- **Neonate** (By Mouth): 1 g/kg.
- **Child** (By Mouth): 12-17 years 50 g.
- **Adult** (By Mouth): 50 g.
**Active elimination of poisons**
- **Neonate** (By Mouth): 1 g/kg every 4 hours, dose may be reduced and the frequency increased if not tolerated, reduced dose may compromise efficacy.
- **Child** (By Mouth): 12-17 years Initially 50 g, then 50 g every 4 hours, reduced if not tolerated to 25 g every 2 hours, alternatively 12.5 g every 1 hour, reduced dose may compromise efficacy.
- **Adult** (By Mouth): Initially 50 g, then 50 g every 4 hours, reduced if not tolerated to 25 g every 2 hours, alternatively 12.5 g every 1 hour, reduced dose may compromise efficacy.
**Accelerated elimination of teriflunomide**
- **Adult** (By Mouth Using Granules): 50 g every 12 hours for 11 days.
**Accelerated elimination of leflunomide (washout procedure)**
- **Adult** (By Mouth Using Granules): 50 g 4 times a day for 11 days.
**Reduction of absorption of poisons in the gastro-intestinal system for activated charcoal**
- **Neonate** (By mouth): 1 g/kg.
- **Child 1 month-11 years** (By mouth): 1 g/kg (max. per dose 50 g).
- **Child 12-17 years** (By mouth): 50 g.
**Active elimination of poisons for activated charcoal**
- **Neonate** (By mouth): 1 g/kg every 4 hours, dose may be reduced and the frequency increased if not tolerated, reduced dose may compromise efficacy.
- **Child 1 month-11 years** (By mouth): 1 g/kg every 4 hours (max. per dose 50 g), dose may be reduced and the frequency increased if not tolerated, reduced dose may compromise efficacy.
- **Child 12-17 years** (By mouth): Initially 50 g, then 50 g every 4 hours, reduced if not tolerated to 25 g every 2 hours, alternatively 12.5 g every 1 hour, reduced dose may compromise efficacy.
Cautions
Comatose patient (risk of aspiration-ensure airway is protected); drowsy patient (risk of aspiration- ensure airway protected); reduced gastrointestinal motility (risk of obstruction)
Side effects
Frequency not known Bezoar; constipation; diarrhoea; gastrointestinal disorders
Medicinal forms
Suspension,Suspension
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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