Activated charcoal is used as an antidote to treat certain types of poisoning, such as spider bites, mushroom poisoning and snake bites. If you think that you or someone you know has been poisoned, you should contact the emergency services immediately.
Identification
According to the Mayo Clinic, activated charcoal is used for treatment of some types of poisoning. When effective, it works by preventing poisonous chemicals from being absorbed by the body. Some forms of activated charcoal also contain sorbitol. Sorbitol is a mild laxative which helps eliminate toxins from the body. According to Healing Tools, EMTs are required, by law, to carry activated charcoal so they are prepared to treat intestinal parasites, jaundice in very young children, severe poison ivy reactions, bee stings, snake and spider bites and mushroom poisoning.
Dosage
According to Emedicine Health, activated charcoal is given to a poison victim who is still conscious and alert. The dose is usually administered orally, but if the patient vomits the dose, another may be given by means of a nasogastric tube. If the patient has lost consciousness, then they may be intubated so that they can be given activated charcoal and oxygen at the same time.
Warning
According to the Mayo Clinic, activated charcoal should not be used is cases where the patient has been poisoned by a corrosive substance, such as lithium, gasoline, cleaning fluid, pant thinner, lye, a strong acid or kerosene, as it is not able to prevent these chemicals from being absorbed by the body.
Prevent Harm
Before using activated charcoal, the Mayo Clinic recommends that you tell your doctor if you have an allergy to food dyes or preservatives, animals or medicines similar to activated charcoal. Activated charcoal my not have the same effect when used on the elderly. It is not known whether activated charcoal causes birth defects or health problems for babies.
Contraindications
According to Merk Medicus, activated charcoal should not be given to patients suffering from dehydration, slow digestion or a perforated or obstructed bowel. The Mayo Clinic states that activated charcoal can interact with the prescription medicines mycophenolic acid and mycophenolate mofetil.
