Activated charcoal

Activated charcoal is a highly porous form of carbon used to adsorb certain chemicals, including some poisons, in the gastrointestinal tract. It does not neutralize toxins and is ineffective against many substances.

Adsorption: Adsorption is the accumulation of molecules on the surface of a solid or liquid. Activated charcoal works by holding certain ingested molecules on its internal surfaces.
Poisoning: Poisoning is illness or injury caused by exposure to a harmful substance. Activated charcoal is used in selected acute poisonings to limit absorption after ingestion.
Syrup of ipecac: Syrup of ipecac is an emetic once used to induce vomiting after suspected poisoning. Induced vomiting is not the mechanism of charcoal, and routine home use of ipecac is no longer recommended.
Aspiration pneumonitis: Aspiration pneumonitis is lung inflammation caused by inhaled material entering the airways. Vomiting charcoal into the lungs is a serious complication, especially when consciousness or airway reflexes are impaired.
Porosity: Porosity is the presence and extent of void spaces within a material. Its network of pores gives activated charcoal an exceptionally large surface area for binding molecules.
Toxicology: Toxicology is the study of harmful effects of chemicals and other agents on living organisms. Poison specialists assess whether a particular exposure is adsorbed by charcoal and whether treatment is safe.
Whole bowel irrigation: Whole bowel irrigation is gastrointestinal cleansing using large volumes of polyethylene glycol solution. It may be considered for selected ingestions that charcoal binds poorly, such as some sustained-release products.
Airway protection: Airway protection means maintaining an open airway and preventing material from entering the lungs. Clinicians weigh airway safety before giving charcoal to someone with altered consciousness.
Gastrointestinal tract: The gastrointestinal tract is the continuous organ system that digests food and absorbs nutrients. Charcoal acts within this tract, where it can reduce absorption of some substances still present.
Acetaminophen poisoning: Acetaminophen poisoning is tissue injury risk from excessive exposure to the analgesic acetaminophen. Charcoal may reduce absorption after a recent ingestion, while antidotal treatment remains essential when indicated.

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