Short communication, Note
Antidotal properties of activated charcoal
D. Henschler
; Institute of Pharmacology and 7oxicology University of Wiirzburg, Wiirzburg (Germany)
Abstract
The capacity of charcoal to bind poisonous agents can be determined in vitro by means of Langmuir's adsorption isotherm. The method is a suitable means for studying the influence of various parameters, e. g. pH, or concurrence with other concomitant material on the binding capacity. The saturation value of the isotherms of chemical agents is very .often referred to as an index of the antidotal value of the adsorbent. However, this physical constant Is. thy no means representative of the in vivo conditions and does not necessarily reflect the therapeutic efficacy of the antidote, !because a number of physiological parameters compote with the binding The only reliable test is animal experimentation where the sample of activated charcoal is administered concomitantly with - or preferably following - installation of the poisonous drug into the stomach, and the rate of absorption of the drug into the circulation and/or the influence on mortality is evaluated. A series of highly discrepant results obtained in in vitro and in vivo tests are 'Presented. Activated charcoal should be used without any other chemical. Combinations with other neutralizing antidotes, such as tannic acid or magnesium oxide (e. g. in the form of ·the so-called »universal antidote«) are more or less ineffective on account of mutual inactivation of the ingredients.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
173625
URI
Publication date:
16.9.1970.
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