BLS - Drugs

Question 1

Activated Charcoal (Actidose-Aqua; Liqui-Char)

Class:

MOA:

Answer 1

Class: Adsorbent; Antidote

MOA: Absorbs to to certain ingested chemicals, and the combined complex is then excreted

Question 2

Activated Charcoal (Actidose-Aqua; Liqui-Char)

Indications:

Side Effects:

Answer 2

Indications: Toxic ingestion, i.e. oral poisoning and medication overdoses

Side Effects: Nausea/vomiting; constipation; diarrhea

Question 3

Activated Charcoal (Actidose-Aqua; Liqui-Char)

Contraindications:

Considerations:

Answer 3

Contraindications: Ingestion of acids/alkalis, ethanol, cyanide, ferrous sulfate or other irons, salts, or lithium; coma; GI obstruction

Considerations: Does not absorb to all drugs and toxins; e.g. ASA, cyanide, lithium, iron, and phenobarbital; if aspirated into the lungs, it can induce a potentially fatal form of pneumonitis. May be mixed with Sorbitol for the first dose to speed the transmit time through intestines.

Question 4

Activated Charcoal (Actidose-Aqua; Liqui-Char)

Dose:

Onset and Duration:

Answer 4

Dose Adult: 1g/kg PO or NG/OG tube

Dose Pediatric: 1-2g/kg PO or NG/OG tube

Onset: immediate
Duration: continuous while in the GI tract