Charcoal (Activated charcoal)

Charcoal (Activated charcoal): Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

Overview

• Charcoal absorbs toxins, fluids, and gases in the GI tract.
• Activated charcoal has increased porosity and enhanced absorptive capacity.

Uses of Charcoal (Activated charcoal)

• In acute poisoning with organophosphates, carbamates, chlorinated hydrocarbons, strychnine, ethylene glycol, inorganic and organic arsenical and mercurial compounds, polycyclic organic compounds (most pesticides), and dermal toxicants that may be ingested following grooming.

Dose of Charcoal (Activated charcoal) in Dogs and Cats

Dogs, Cats:

After toxin ingestion: 0.5–4 g/kg p.o. of activated charcoal/kg as a slurry in water.

• Administer at a dose of at least 10 times the volume of the intoxicant ingested.
• Repeat dosing as required if emesis or massive toxin ingestion occurs.
• Repeated dosing necessary if highly lipid-soluble toxins, which are likely to undergo enterohepatic recirculation, have been ingested.
• The addition of dog food to activated charcoal (up to 14 times the amount of charcoal used) slightly reduced its total adsorptive capacity for paracetamol but this effect is likely to be clinically insignificant.

Side Effects of Charcoal (Activated Charcoal) in Dogs and Cats

• Charcoal colors stools black, which is medically insignificant but may be alarming to the owner

Contraindications of Charcoal (Activated Charcoal) in Dogs and Cats

• Activated charcoal should not be used prior to the use of emetics.

Some Notes:

• Activated charcoal reduces the absorption and therefore efficacy of orally administered drugs.