Difference between revisions of "Activated charcoal protocol"
| Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
== When to take activated charcoal== | == When to take activated charcoal== | ||
| − | Activated charcoal should be used for treatment of any poisonings by mouth, '''EXCEPT the following substances''', for which it '''MUST NOT be used''':){{cite|BNF | + | Activated charcoal should be used for treatment of any poisonings by mouth, '''EXCEPT the following substances''', for which it '''MUST NOT be used''':){{cite|BNF Poisoning, emergency treatment summary|external|https://bnf.nice.org.uk/treatment-summary/poisoning-emergency-treatment.html}} |
| − | Poisoning, emergency treatment summary|external|https://bnf.nice.org.uk/treatment-summary/poisoning-emergency-treatment.html}} | ||
* '''Petroleum distillates''' (often found in '''cleaning products''') | * '''Petroleum distillates''' (often found in '''cleaning products''') | ||
| Line 14: | Line 13: | ||
* '''Cyanides''' and '''metal salts''' including iron and lithium salts (often found in '''antipsychotic medications''') | * '''Cyanides''' and '''metal salts''' including iron and lithium salts (often found in '''antipsychotic medications''') | ||
| − | However, it '''must ONLY be used''' if the person is '''not comatose''' and is not [[DICC | + | However, it '''must ONLY be used''' if the person is '''not comatose''' and is not [[DICC assessment protocol|likely to lose consciousness]], to avoid the risk of choking.{{cite|BNF activated charcoal|external|https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/charcoal-activated.html}} |
== How to take activated charcoal == | == How to take activated charcoal == | ||
Revision as of 14:17, 23 April 2020
This protocol is under review, and has not been accepted.
We are currently gathering feedback and editing this protocol, and there may be errors or bad wording. Please only use this protocol with caution, and if other organisations have definitive protocol, use that instead.
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Activated charcoal is first line treatment for most oral overdoses.
When to take activated charcoal
Activated charcoal should be used for treatment of any poisonings by mouth, EXCEPT the following substances, for which it MUST NOT be used:)[1]
- Petroleum distillates (often found in cleaning products)
- Corrosive substances (including bleach)
- Alcohols (including those used in cleaning products and those intended for human consumption)
- Malathion (a common insecticide)
- Cyanides and metal salts including iron and lithium salts (often found in antipsychotic medications)
However, it must ONLY be used if the person is not comatose and is not likely to lose consciousness, to avoid the risk of choking.[2]
How to take activated charcoal
You must call for backup, for example an ambulance in any instance of poisoning, including when you're using this protocol- You must ensure that transfer to definitive clinical care is happening as fast as possible - call an ambulance.
- You must mix 50g of food or pharmaceutical grade activated charcoal with water, or a non caffeinated soft drink. Add enough liquid to make it drinkable.[2]
- You must ensure that the poisoned person drinks all of this mixture.[2]
