Activated charcoal updated.

Activated charcoal, commonly recommended for treatment of chemical ingestions, is the residue from destructive distillation of various organic materials treated to increase its adsorptive power. Since there are no known side effects, the dose should be sufficiently large for optimum adsorption. In the literature, the recommended doses range from 30 gm to 120 gm, or in a charcoal-drug ratio of 10:1. For maximum effect, activated charcoal should be administered within 30 minutes of ingestion. It can be given while its effectiveness for a particular toxic substance is verified.