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Drug overview for ACTIVATED CHARCOAL (activated charcoal):
Generic name: ACTIVATED CHARCOAL
Drug class:
Therapeutic class: Gastrointestinal Therapy Agents
No enhanced Introduction information available for this drug.
No enhanced Uses information available for this drug.
Generic name: ACTIVATED CHARCOAL
Drug class:
Therapeutic class: Gastrointestinal Therapy Agents
No enhanced Introduction information available for this drug.
No enhanced Uses information available for this drug.
DRUG IMAGES
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The following indications for ACTIVATED CHARCOAL (activated charcoal) have been approved by the FDA:
Indications:
Unknown oral substance toxicity
Professional Synonyms:
Nonspecific toxicity from oral overdose
Indications:
Unknown oral substance toxicity
Professional Synonyms:
Nonspecific toxicity from oral overdose
The following dosing information is available for ACTIVATED CHARCOAL (activated charcoal):
No enhanced Dosing information available for this drug.
No enhanced Administration information available for this drug.
No dosing information available.
No generic dosing information available.
The following drug interaction information is available for ACTIVATED CHARCOAL (activated charcoal):
There are 0 contraindications.
There are 0 severe interactions.
There are 1 moderate interactions.
The clinician should assess the patient’s characteristics and take action as needed. Actions required for moderate interactions include, but are not limited to, discontinuing one or both agents, adjusting dosage, altering administration.
| Drug Interaction | Drug Names |
|---|---|
| Xanthine Derivatives/Charcoal SEVERITY LEVEL: 3-Moderate Interaction: Assess the risk to the patient and take action as needed. MECHANISM OF ACTION: Theophylline is absorbed by activated charcoal.(1) The absorption results in decreased theophylline absorption from the gastrointestinal tract, decreased enterohepatic recirculation, and increased theophylline clearance.(1-14) CLINICAL EFFECTS: Theophylline absorption is decreased and clearance is increased as charcoal absorbs the theophylline. PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined. PATIENT MANAGEMENT: In a theophylline overdose the charcoal should be administered as soon as possible. Theophylline clearance may increase with continued administration. If the charcoal is not being given for theophylline overdose, a higher dose of theophylline should be given, or administration times should be separated. DISCUSSION: Activated charcoal is more effective than gastric lavage, emesis, or sorbitol catharsis and is considered first line therapy for sustained-release theophylline overdose.(15,16) Theophylline half-life has been reported to be decreased up to 52%, and clearance increased up to 96%. (5) Mean plasma level of a single dose of slow-release theophylline decreased by 39%.(2) Activated charcoal is also effective in treating aminophylline overdose.(17) |
AMINOPHYLLINE, DYPHYLLINE, THEO-24, THEOPHYLLINE, THEOPHYLLINE ANHYDROUS, THEOPHYLLINE ER, THEOPHYLLINE ETHYLENEDIAMINE |
The following contraindication information is available for ACTIVATED CHARCOAL (activated charcoal):
Drug contraindication overview.
No enhanced Contraindications information available for this drug.
No enhanced Contraindications information available for this drug.
There are 2 contraindications.
Absolute contraindication.
| Contraindication List |
|---|
| Gastrointestinal obstruction |
| Gastrointestinal perforation |
There are 3 severe contraindications.
Adequate patient monitoring is recommended for safer drug use.
| Severe List |
|---|
| Absence of bowel sounds |
| Gastrointestinal hemorrhage |
| Hypovolemia |
There are 0 moderate contraindications.
The following adverse reaction information is available for ACTIVATED CHARCOAL (activated charcoal):
Adverse reaction overview.
No enhanced Common Adverse Effects information available for this drug.
No enhanced Common Adverse Effects information available for this drug.
There are 2 severe adverse reactions.
| More Frequent | Less Frequent |
|---|---|
| None. | None. |
| Rare/Very Rare |
|---|
|
Abdominal distension Abdominal pain with cramps |
There are 3 less severe adverse reactions.
| More Frequent | Less Frequent |
|---|---|
|
Black stools Diarrhea Vomiting |
None. |
| Rare/Very Rare |
|---|
| None. |
The following precautions are available for ACTIVATED CHARCOAL (activated charcoal):
No enhanced Pediatric Use information available for this drug.
Contraindicated
Severe Precaution
Management or Monitoring Precaution
Contraindicated
| None |
Severe Precaution
| None |
Management or Monitoring Precaution
| None |
No enhanced Pregnancy information available for this drug.
No enhanced Lactation information available for this drug.
No enhanced Geriatric Use information available for this drug.
The following prioritized warning is available for ACTIVATED CHARCOAL (activated charcoal):
No warning message for this drug.
No warning message for this drug.
The following icd codes are available for ACTIVATED CHARCOAL (activated charcoal)'s list of indications:
| Unknown oral substance toxicity | |
| T65.91xA | Toxic effect of unspecified substance, accidental (unintentional), initial encounter |
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