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Activated Charcoal FactSheet

What is Activated Charcoal?

Activated Charcoal is a light, finely divided, tasteless, black powder that ties-up the poison and keeps the poison from hurting your body.

Why use Activated Charcoal?

Activated Charcoal has been found to be the best choice for many poisons. But it does NOT work on every poison so you should always call your physician, pharmacist, or Oklahoma Poison Control Center first.

Where do you get Activated Charcoal?

Activated Charcoal can be purchased at your local pharmacy.

What type of Activated Charcoal should you get?

Activated Charcoal tablets or capsules should NOT be used for poisons. The Oklahoma Poison Control Center recommends using small gram bottles of dry powder that require adding water or soda pop. Some bottles may come premixed with water or sorbitol. Sorbitol can cause diarrhea in children. NEVER use burnt toast, charred wood, or charcoal briquettes for poisons.

Who can administer Activated Charcoal?

YOU CAN once your physician or Oklahoma Poison Control Center has been contacted and they recommend giving Activated Charcoal. Recommended dosage is based on the person's weight.

When can Activated Charcoal be used?

Only if you have been told to by a physician or Oklahoma Poison Control Center. The child must be alert and cooperative.

When should Activated Charcoal not be used?

• NEVER FORCE A PERSON TO DRINK ACTIVATED CHARCOAL!!
• Use of Activated Charcoal can make some poisons more dangerous like gasoline and acids so always check first.
• Do not use if you have used Ipecac within 2 hours.
• Do not use if person is not fully conscious.
• Do not use if person is coughing or choking.
• Do not use in children less than 1 year of age.

What should you watch for after giving Activated Charcoal

• Call your physician or Oklahoma Poison Control Center immediately if the person becomes sick to their stomach and vomits or begins to cough.
• You should expect to see a dark charcoal stool within 2 days.

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The Oklahoma Poison Control Center web site is provided free of charge to the public as an informational and educational tool. This web site is NOT intended as a substitute for a consultation with the Oklahoma Poison Control Center. The center is a statewide program operated by The University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy in cooperation with Children´s Hospital at the OU Medical Center. Our pharmacists and nurses are specially trained poison experts available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.