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Activated Charcoal & Canadian Drug Regulations

According to Health Canada, activated charcoal is used to absorb poisons in the digestive system to keep them from being absorbed by the body. In Canada, activated charcoal is available over the counter. Emedicinehealth.com indicates that activated charcoal is anon-toxic substance, and that it is administered orally in liquid form. The liquid is created by mixing charcoal in water.

  1. Administration

    • When administering activated charcoal to a patient, Health Canada stipulates that the patients must have vomited at least once prior to receiving the dosage. Health Canada also indicates that 20 to 30 grams of activated charcoal should be administered. The patient should be instructed to keep moving, and the charcoal should be given with at least 8 ounces of water.

    Packaging

    • The package that the activated charcoal is kept in must be clearly labeled. The Department of Justice Canada indicates that the package must display the name of the drug (activated charcoal), the manufacturer, the expiration date, the lot number, the recommended dosage and the potency of each unit of activated charcoal.

    Records

    • As recommended by the Department of Justice Canada: Regulations Respecting Food and Drugs, manufacturers of activated charcoal must maintain accurate records that will serve as proof that proper testing procedures were followed. These regulations also stipulate that records must show that the activated charcoal was manufactured in a safe manner, and that the packaging that the activated charcoal is stored in meets the requirements for safe drug storage. In case of a legal dispute, these records may be used as evidence in a court of law. The Department of Justice Canada: Regulations Respecting Food and Drugs also state that a sample from each batch of activated charcoal must be kept.

    Precautions

    • Activated charcoal should only be given to individuals who are fully conscious. This drug should not be given to a patient who has ingested corrosive substances or materials such as gasoline and paint thinner. Health Canada also states that activated charcoal should be administered in the presence of a physician if possible.

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