The availability of activated charcoal and ipecac for home use

Traditionally, Ipecac has been used in the home; however, recently attentio n has focused on prehospital activated charcoal (AC) administration. In an effort to assess the availability of AC and Ipecac, we conducted a telephon e survey. One-hundred and 18 pharmacies were randomly selected from the 59 counties in California to assess availability of AC (liquid or powder) and/ or ipecac. Ninety-four (80%) pharmacies participated. Seventy-nine of the p harmacies had ipecac compared to 8 which had AC. Three pharmacies had premi xed aqueous AC while 5 had AC in powder formulation. There was no differenc e between chains and community in AC or ipecac availability. The major limi tations of effective GI decontamination are AC availability and rapidity In its administration. Our results identify a significant delay in the admini stration of AC if a parent was referred to a local pharmacy for home or pre -hospital decontamination. As more toxicologists and poison centers move to wards pre-hospital and home AC much education of pharmacists as well as ped iatricians and parents is required.