Effect of magnesium citrate on the adsorptive capacity of activated charcoal for sodium salicylate.

The effects of an added saline cathartic (magnesium citrate) on the in vitro adsorption of sodium salicylate by activated charcoal were determined at different pH levels. At low pH added magnesium citrate reduced salicylate adsorption. However, at high pH added magnesium citrate enhanced adsorption. These results indicate that magnesium citrate should have no detrimental effect on the action of activated charcoal in vivo. Indeed, a slight beneficial effect is suggested by this and other studies.