Methamphetamine toxicity prevented by activated charcoal in a mouse model.

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To determine the effectiveness of activated charcoal in preventing toxicity from oral methamphetamine HCI.

DESIGN

Randomized, prospective, nonblinded, controlled animal study.

SETTING

Animal care facility.

PARTICIPANTS

CD-1 male mice.

INTERVENTIONS

Mice were given 100 mg/kg methamphetamine HCI (lethal dose 60) in water by oral gavage. Within 1 minute of methamphetamine administration, mice received either 1 g/kg activated charcoal or an equivalent volume of water as control.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Mice were observed for time to onset of symptoms (piloerection, agitation, and tremor) and mortality at 1, 24, and 48 hours. Activated charcoal delayed onset of symptoms (5.53 +/- 1.25 minutes versus 4.27 +/- 1.22 minutes, P < .002) and decreased mortality compared to controls at 1 hour (1 of 20 versus 10 of 20, P < .003) and 24 hours (five of 20 versus 12 of 20, P < .05). There was no difference between groups in mortality at 48 hours.

CONCLUSION

A single dose of activated charcoal given after oral methamphetamine delayed onset of toxicity and decreased early mortality in mice. There was no effect on overall mortality.