Activated charcoal protocol

This protocol is part of first aid protocol and should not be used outside of the accident procedure

This protocol is a draft. It has not yet been accepted as protocol and may be incorrect or poorly cited. Please do not use this in your work until it has been accepted.

Please see #protocols on Slack to discuss this protocol further.

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:

• 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)

How to take activated charcoal

You must call for backup, for example an ambulance any instance of poisoning, so an instance where 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.
• You must Drink all of this mixture.