Comparative antidotal efficacy of activated charcoal tablets, capsules and suspension in healthy volunteers

Abstract

The efficacy of several formulations of activated charcoal (AC) was compared by measuring the intestinal absorption of a solution of 1 g paracetamol administered 2 min before administration of 5 g AC as suspension (200 ml), tablets (40 of 125 mg) or capsules (25 of 200 mg). The suspension medium without AC was used as the control treatment. Based on the results of a pilot experiment, an 8 subject panel was used in a two 4 x 4 Latin square design. All treatments with AC resulted in a statistically significant decrease in paracetamol absorption compared to the control treatment. The suspension was considerably and significantly more effective than the tablets or capsules. Treatment with tablets was slightly but significantly more effective than capsules. The intake of large numbers of tablets and capsules was difficult. In the hospital AC suspensions are available. For first aid elsewhere, at home, at the working place or in the general practitioner's surgery a preservable and easily redispersible AC formulation would be preferable to the present solid forms.

In Vitro Adsorption Studies of Paracetamol to Activated Charcoal Capsule, Powder and Suspension

“…The variation is due to the excipients used in formulation. The result from this study is also in accordance with Remmert et al where they have shown that suspension had maximal adsorption capacity followed by tablet and capsule to adsorb paracetamol in vivo [12]. Though it is said that capsule charcoal should not be used for poisoned cases, it is seen from this study that adsorption capacity of charcoal capsule might be sufficient to be used in poisoning cases if the charcoal is taken out of capsule shells before administering to the patient.…”

“…These three formulations contain AC with same surface area 1600 m 2 /g. The previous studies [9][10][11][12] have shown that there is a difference in adsorption capacity with different formulations of AC. Also, only the unionized form of drug is adsorbed.…”