JRCALC MEDS

Question 1

What are the indications for Activated charcoal?

Answer 1

Adults or children aged over 1 who have ingested toxins less than 1 hour before administration.

Paracetamol overdose.

Question 2

what are the contraindications of Activated Charcoal?

Answer 2

-children under 1.
-Pts presenting to ambulance more than 1 hour since ingestion of toxin.
-not advised following recommendation from Toxbase.
-vomiting.
-pts with risk of obstruction. Eg, pts taking opioids our recent abdominal surgery.
Known poisoning due to:
Cyanide
Petroleum distillates
Metal salts including salts of lithium and iron
Ethanol, methanol,ethylene glycol, iron salts, sodium chloride, lead boric acid, other mineral acids.
Corrosive substances.

Question 3

what is the initial oral dose of activated charcoal for an adult?

Answer 3

Administer ASAP after ingestion.

50g (250ml) as soon as after ingestion.

No repeat dose

Ready made suspension

Question 4

What is the dose of activated charcoal for children 12months - 11 years?

Answer 4

25g

125ml

Where a large amount of toxin has been ingested, and there is a risk to life, encourage child to drink whole dose.