Pros and cons of activated charcoal

Abstract

Activated Charcoal is an immediate standard therapy in case of emergency medication or antidote for poisoning, for decontamination of the gastrointestinal tract and elimination enhancement through poison absorption in the GIT and dieresis in the extreme poisoning. It is used as an antidote and a first line therapy in the emergency departments. It avoids systemic absorption of the poison through adsorption. The AC is also included as an emergency medicine in the IAOMT protocol for the heavy metals adsorption, as it has ability to remove mercury amalgam fillings.

Introduction1

Background of the study1

Rationale of the study1

Research Question2

Discussion2

What is Activated Charcoal?2

Sources and Physicochemical Properties2

AC in US Pharmacopeia2

AC as an Emergency Medicine2

The Clinical Significance of Activated Charcoal Use in Emergences3

AC as an Antidote for self poisoning3

Acetaminophen Poisoning3

Theophylline Poisoning in young infants3

Potent Poison Absorbent4

Aspirin overdose treatment4

The disadvantages of Activated charcoal administration in emergences4

Emesis introduction in acutely poisoned children4

Less feasible to administer within one hour of an overdose4

Endoscopy and Intubation Difficulty4

Conclusion5

References5

The pros and cons of activated charcoal

Introduction

Background of the study

The statistical studies in US, 2006 reported by American Association of Poison Control Centers showed that patients accounted with the childhood poisoning coming to emergences accounted for 65% of the 2.42 million toxic human exposures. 9% of the total mortalities were reported in the children less than 19 years of age. The results also reported that 63% population receive decontamination, 43% receive decontamination through the irrigation and dilution and a lesser number patient's reported gastro intestinal decontamination. The emergency treatments included gastric lavage (0.5%), emetics (0.1%), single dose activated charcoal SDAC (4.7%), and cathartics (1.5%). The multi dose activated charcoal MDAC is used for elimination in just 0.1% of exposed patients (LoVecchio, F., Shriki, J., Innes, K., & Bermudez, J., 2007).

Rationale of the study

Poisoning is a frequent inopportune occurrence worldwide with the higher mortality rates due to toxicity in poor resource settings. The poisoning cases require immediate emergency protocol in hospitals or at home. The immediate standard therapy in case of emergency medication or antidote for poisoning, activated charcoal (AC) is used for decontamination of the gastrointestinal tract and elimination enhancement through poison absorption in the GIT. It is used as an antidote in poisoning.

Research Question

To study the impact of activated charcoal administration in the emergency conditions as an emergency medicine

The significance of Activated charcoal administration in emergences

The disadvantages of Activated charcoal administration in emergences

Discussion

What is Activated Charcoal?

Activated charcoal is a standard charcoal that has been activated through gaseous oxidation at high temperatures. This oxidation results in the internal erosion of the charcoal surfaces. As a result much improved adsorption, as one gram of activated carbon has surface area between 500m2 -1500 m2, thus a 50gram of activated charcoal equals to 150000 square feet field. It creates network of very small pores internally causing it to increase adsorption two to three times as effectual as standard charcoal (Lapus R. M., 2007).

Sources and Physicochemical Properties

Activated charcoal is used orally as a black, fine, amorphous, insoluble carbon containing powder and ...