Adsorbent (gut decontamination)
Activated charcoal
Brand names: Carbomix, Actidose-Aqua
Adult dose
Dose: Single dose 50 g; multiple-dose 50 g every 4 h
Route: Oral/NG
Frequency: Once or per regimen
Clinical pearls
- Most effective within 1 h of ingestion (TOXBASE)
- MDAC for carbamazepine, dapsone, phenobarbital, quinine, theophylline
Contraindications
- Unprotected airway/reduced GCS without intubation
- Ileus/obstruction
- Caustic ingestion
- Hydrocarbon ingestion
Side effects
- Vomiting
- Aspiration
- Constipation/obstruction
Interactions
- Reduces absorption of co-administered oral drugs
Monitoring
- GCS, airway
- Bowel sounds
Reference: BNF; TOXBASE/NPIS; AACT/EAPCCT position papers. Verify against your local formulary and the latest BNF before prescribing.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Pathways
- Paracetamol overdose · TOXBASE/NPIS; MHRA DSU 2012/2024; SNAP regimen (Lancet 2014); BNF
- TCA overdose · TOXBASE/NPIS; AACT/EAPCCT position statements; Resuscitation Council UK ALS
- Opioid overdose · TOXBASE/NPIS; Resuscitation Council UK; BNF
- Anticholinergic toxidrome · TOXBASE/NPIS; AACT/EAPCCT; BNF
- Benzodiazepine overdose · TOXBASE/NPIS; AACT/EAPCCT; BNF
- β-blocker overdose · TOXBASE/NPIS; AACT/EAPCCT; ESC; BNF