Effect of saline cathartics on gastrointestinal transit time of activated charcoal.

The effects of saline cathartics on the gastrointestinal transit time of activated charcoal were investigated in six healthy volunteers. The study shows that the mean gastrointestinal transit times of charcoal alone were 29.3 h and 24.4, 15.4, 17.3 and 17.5 h with sodium chloride, sodium sulphate, magnesium sulphate alone and Andrew's Liver Salt respectively. Some volunteers complained of slight abdominal discomfort in all the phases except the Andrew's Liver Salt phase.