MULTIPLE-DOSE ACTIVATED-CHARCOAL - A REVIEW OF RELEVANT CLINICAL-STUDIES

Although many studies in animals and volunteers have demonstrated that multiple-dose activated charcoal increases drug elimination significa ntly, this therapy has not been shown in a controlled study in poisone d patients to reduce morbidity and mortality. Further clinical studies are required to establish its role and the optimum dosage regimen of charcoal to be administered. Based on current evidence, multiple-dose activated charcoal should only be considered ifa patient has ingested a life-threatening amount of phenobarbital (phenobarbitone), carbamaze pine, theophylline, quinine, dapsone or salicylate. In all of these ca ses there are data to confirm enhanced elimination, though no controll ed studies have demonstrated clinical benefit.