How to Administer Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal is used in emergency situations due to the ingestion of poisons or the overdose of medications. The activated charcoal absorbs the medications or poisons to keep them from being absorbed by the body. It is most effective when it is administered within 60 minutes after poisoning.

Things You'll Need

• Activated charcoal Measuring cup Spoon Water or soda Cup with lid and straw

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Instructions

• 1

  Call 911 or a poison control hot-line to determine if the use of activated charcoal is advisable for your particular situation and to get a dosage guideline.

• 2

  Evaluate the person who you intend to administer the activated charcoal to. The person must be conscious, coherent and not choking.

• 3

  Shake the container of powdered activated charcoal or squeeze the tube or bottle of premixed activated charcoal to mix the product.

• 4

  Mix the container of activated charcoal with water or soda. Use the activated charcoal liquid ratio told to you by the 911 operator or poison control when making the mix. If you have the premixed form of activated charcoal, pour the mix into a measuring cup at the amount the 911 operator or poison control recommended.

• 5

  Put the activated charcoal mix in a dark cup to hide the color of the liquid from the person drinking it, because some person refuse to drink a black fluid. If available, fit a lid on the cup and have the person drink through a straw.

• 6

  Clear all objects out of the person's mouth.

• 7

  Position the person in a sitting position or prop the person's head up. Encourage the person to drink the entire contents of the filled cup that is filled with the activated charcoal mix.

• 8

  Watch the person for vomiting. If vomiting begins, move the person into a side laying or sitting up position to prevent choking.

• 9

  Get the person to an emergency room as soon as possible.