Key Takeaway
Activated charcoal is most effective when given within 1 hour of poison ingestion; effectiveness decreases significantly with time and is not recommended for routine use.
Summary
This position paper from the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology and European Association of Poisons Centres reviews the evidence for single-dose activated charcoal in poisoning.
The review concludes that activated charcoal should not be administered routinely, is most effective within 1 hour of ingestion, and should only be considered when a patient has ingested a potentially toxic amount of a substance known to be adsorbed by charcoal.
Methods
- Systematic literature review
- Expert consensus panel
- Clinical evidence evaluation
- Guideline development
Key Results
- Most effective within 1 hour of ingestion
- Benefit decreases substantially after 1 hour
- Should not be administered routinely
- Specific indications and contraindications defined
Limitations
- Limited controlled human trials
- Ethical constraints on poisoning research
- Variable substances and doses studied