Powdered charcoal that has been treated to increase its powers of absorption.
purified powder form of charcoal used as a potent antidote in the treatment of some forms of poisoning. Given orally, usually as a slurry, it aids in the adsorption of many different agents.
An agent given by mouth or nasogastric tube to absorb toxic substances in the stomach.
A substance used to treat diarrhea and gastrointestinal gas; also a treatment for many drug overdoses. Activated charcoal is used to relieve painful pressure caused by excess gas in the digestive tract. Its use as a poison treatment is based on its ability to help prevent the poison from being absorbed from the stomach into the body. It is not effective against all poisons; for example, it does not work on lye, boric acid, lithium, cleaning fluid, iron, gasoline, kerosene, or alcohol. Charcoal is available without a prescription, but it should not be used as a poison treatment without first consulting with a doctor or specialist at a poison center.