Medical Activated Carbon

Activated charcoal is mainly used in emergency medicine as a treatment for acute poisoning or overdose. When ingested orally shortly after the patient has taken the poison (generally within 1-2 hours), the very porous surface area of charcoal will adsorb many drugs/toxins from the gastrointestinal tract and prevent any absorption of the drug/toxin into the bloodstream. Activated charcoal is effective for many different types of overdoses, including aspirin, excessive doses of several sedatives and certain household toxins. Activated charcoal is mixed as a slurry with either water or a laxative.