Details About Generic Salt ::  Charcoal

Main Medicine Class:: Antidote   

(CHAR-kole)

Actidose-Aqua, Actidose with Sorbitol, Charcoaid, Charcoaid 2000, Liqui-Char,  Charcodote

Class: Antidote

Drugs Class ::

 Action Inhibits GI absorption.

Indications for Drugs ::

 Indications Emergency treatment of poisoning by most drugs and chemicals. Unlabeled use(s): Treatment of diarrhea, stomach gas and excessive flatulence.

Drug Dose ::

 Route/Dosage

Acute Intoxication

Po/Gavage tube 30–100 g (or 1 g/kg or approximately 5–10 times amount of poison ingested) as suspension (mixed with 6–8 oz water).

GI Dialysis

Po/Gavage tube 20–40 q 6 hr for 1–2 days; alternate aqueous suspension and sorbitol suspension.

Contraindication ::

 Contraindications None known. Ineffective for poisonings by cyanide, mineral acids and alkalis. Not particularly effective for poisonings by ethanol, methanol and iron salts.

Drug Precautions ::

 Precautions

Pregnancy: Pregnancy category undetermined. Lactation: Undetermined. Children: Use under physician’s supervision so fluid and electrolyte balance can be monitored properly.

Drug Side Effects ::

 Adverse Reactions

GI: Vomiting; constipation or diarrhea; black stools. Sorbitol may cause loose stools and vomiting.

Drug Mode of Action ::  

 Action Inhibits GI absorption.

Drug Interactions ::

 Interactions

Food (milk, ice cream and sherbet): Decrease the absorptive capacity of drug. Other medications: May have decreased effectiveness due to absorption by activated charcoal (eg, oral acetylcysteine used as antidote for acetaminophen overdose). Syrup of ipecac: Inactivated due to absorption by activated charcoal. Do not administer together.

Drug Assesment ::

 Assessment/Interventions

• Obtain patient history, including drug history and any known allergies, and note which medications were ingested and amounts ingested, if syrup of ipecac was given and if ingested material was acidic.
• Obtain a toxicology screen of urine and serum.
• Assess and monitor vital signs and neurologic signs.
• Assess mental status and LOC.
• Monitor airway, ECG and I&O.
• Observe for vomiting or diarrhea.
• Keep patient well hydrated.

Drug Storage/Management ::

 Administration/Storage

• When inducing vomiting, do so before giving activated charcoal. When large doses of drugs have been ingested, remove as much of ingested poison as possible by gastric lavage.
• Note that patient may be intolerant of activated charcoal for 1–2 hr after ipecac-induced vomiting.
• Administer orally to conscious patients only.
• For comatose patients or patients with altered mental status, administer via nasogastric tube.
• Mix 30–100 g as a slurry with 6–8 oz water or use premixed solution with 12.5–50 g in sorbitol suspension.
• In acute poisoning, administer as soon as possible. Drug is most effective when given within 30 min of poisoning.
• Store in tightly closed container. Premixed suspension can be stored for up to 1 yr.

Drug Notes ::

 Patient/Family Education

• This drug should not be used as antidote in home.
• Advise patient that stools will be black for several days.
• Advise patient that diarrhea may continue for 24–48 hr.

Disclaimer ::

The Information available on this site is for only Informational Purpose , before any use of this information please consult your Doctor .Price of the drugs indicated above may not match to real price due to many possible reasons may , including local taxes etc.. These are only approximate indicative prices of the drug.