Introduction

Name

• Activated charcoal.

Class of drug

• Adsorbent.

Description

Physical properties

• Powder or pre-made suspension.

Storage requirements

• Ensure tightly sealed when stored.

Uses

Indications

• Toxic oral ingestions:
  • May be of use in animals affected by intoxication with organophosphates, carbamates, chlorinated hydrocarbons, strychnine, ethylene glycol, inorganic and organic arsenical and mercurial compounds, and polycyclic organic compounds (most pesticides).
  • Evidence to support the use of activated charcoal in cattle afflicted with these toxicants is currently lacking.
• May be of use in minimizing the effects of dermal toxicants which may be ingested following grooming, but evidence to support this use is lacking.
• Has been suggested as an ancillary treatment for calf diarrhea, but evidence to support this use is lacking.

Administration

Pharmacokinetics

Precautions

Interactions

With other drugs

• Will reduce the absorption and therefore efficacy of orally administered drugs.

Withdrawal Period

Adverse Reactions

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed Papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Afema J, Moore D A & Sischo W M (2018) Ancillary therapies for calf diarrhea: medical use of activated charcoal. Washington State University Extension & WSU College of Veterinary Medicine. WSUVetMedExtension (pdf download).
• Snyman L D, Schultz R A, Botha C J, Labuschagne L & Joubert J P (2009) Evaluation of activated charcoal as treatment for Yellow tulp (Moraea pallida) poisoning in cattle. J S Afr Vet Assoc 80 (4), 274-275 PubMed.
• Pass M A et al (1984) Administration of activated charcoal for the treatment of Lantana poisoning of sheep and cattle. J Applied Toxicol 4 (5), 267-269 PubMed.

Other sources of information

• Bishop Y (2004) The Veterinary Formulary. 6th edn. Pharmaceutical Press, UK. pp 190.
• FDA (online) FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Available at: www.fda.gov.
• NOAH (online) Adverse Reactions Reporting Forms. Available at: www.noahcompendium.co.uk.
• VMD (online) Animal Adverse Reaction Reporting. Available at: www.vmd.defra.gov.uk.
• VMD (online) Suspected Adverse Reaction Surveillance Scheme (SARSS). Available at: www.vmd.defra.gov.uk.

Organisation(s)

• National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) Compendium of Data Sheets for Animal Medicines. Website: www.noahcompendium.co.uk.
• Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) Product Information Database. Website: www.vmd.defra.gov.uk.
• Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS). Website: www.vpisglobal.com.