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.
Outside of accidental acute poisoning, activated charcoal is used to therapeutically treat excessive intestinal gas, or flatulence, because it can adsorb gas-forming substances. It is also used occasionally in special cases of uremia to decrease waste product levels of the gut. Perhaps even more importantly, activated charcoal is not effective against all poisons, particularly alcohols, strong acids/bases, and metals, including lithium and iron. Use of activated charcoal requires medical monitoring to assure appropriate and safe use. Activated charcoal should be used only if the drug/toxin is still in the gastrointestinal tract. If a drug/toxin has been absorbed, activated charcoal will not adsorb existing levels in the body.
Medicine Activated Carbon
Activated charcoal is typically used in emergency medicine to treat either acute environmental or prescription overdose. Because of its highly porous structure...
Blood Purification Activated Carbon
Activated carbon is a common medium for controlling pollution and for the purification of gases in chemical processes due to its large surface area and adsorption characteristics.
