Activated charcoal is arguably the most effective product on the market when dealing with the neutralization of ingested toxins. It is used after someone ingests or absorbs chemicals or toxic drugs into their system. Data indicates that activated charcoal is able to reduce above 60% of a toxin ingested by the body. Activated charcoal works by soaking up toxins, therefore limiting their poisonous nature. It is usually provided by a stomach pump to patients who have ingested lethal. The charcoal itself is a fine, black, odorless, tasteless, nontoxic powder. It should be noted that it is most effective when taken within thirty minutes of the patient swallowing a dangerous substance.



Activated charcoal exerts its effects by adsorption of a wide variety of toxins and drugs. Dangerous chemicals adhere themselves to the surface of the charcoal and because charcoal is not digested, it travels inside the GI tract (stomach and intestines) and gets rid of the toxin until it is eventually passed by the patient. However, once the toxin has been absorbed by the GI tract, activated charcoal cannot retrieve the toxic ingestion. It will only bind onto toxins that are still inside the stomach or intestines.

Activated charcoal does not harm the mucous membranes of the GI system. In addition to absorption of toxins, activated charcoal may also absorb minerals, vitamins and nutrients. However, this is only temporary and not harmful to the patient. The charcoal is referred to as "activated" because it is produced to have a very small particle size. This increases the overall surface area and adsorptive strength of the charcoal. It is produced by combining acid and steam with coal. To put this in perspective, one regular 50-gram dose of activated charcoal has the surface area of nearly 10 football fields.

Activated charcoal is usually combined with sorbitol (a laxative) to shorten the amount of time the toxins travel through the system. However, to avoid adverse effects, sorbitol will not be given with every dose of activated charcoal. It should be noted, activated charcoal does not bind effectively with substances such as: Lithium, arsenic, iodine, alcohol and hydrocarbons such as pine oil.