$Unique_ID{BRK00265} $Pretitle{} $Title{Is Charcoal Better Than Ipecac?} $Subject{overdose treatment charcoal ipecac Accidents accident Poisoning poisonings activated overdoses induced vomiting binding chemical inactive home poison treatment kits medication medications swallow swallowing stomach} $Volume{O-10,R-10} $Log{} Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc. Is Charcoal Better Than Ipecac? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ QUESTION: A recent crisis, when my child swallowed a whole slew of pills, brought me to our local hospital's emergency room. They quickly administered charcoal to my daughter, and when I asked why they didn't use ipecac, as you once advised, answered by telling me it was "out of fashion". Well, what have you to say about that? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ANSWER: Fashions come and fashions go, and my old wide ties may once again be worn without shame. In medicine we always move forward, and as new techniques which are more effective are discovered, older but sometimes still useful methods pass out of fashion. It is true that activated charcoal is becoming more widely used in the treatment of poisoning and overdose of children, but only in supervised clinics and emergency rooms. The advantage of ipecac is that it can be kept at home, in a safe place in the medicine cabinet, as it retains its potency for long periods of time. It is handy, and can be given immediately after the accident, and it is effective even if the process of induced vomiting is not the most pleasant of experiences. It also has the disadvantage of causing problems if the vomitus is breathed into the lungs during the process. Activated charcoal has many advantages too, as it is very effective in binding to the chemical that has been swallowed and rendering it inactive. And it is effective after the time when administering ipecac or washing out the stomach becomes too late and useless. The activated charcoal must be fresh to be effective, and so can't be kept at home for long periods. And it's terrible stuff to try to give children, as it looks horrible, tastes worse, and feels like sand going down. It is administered through a large tube passed through the mouth into the stomach. New home poison treatment kits may soon be on the market and will contain both materials, for both have a place in the treatment of overdose and chemical poisoning. Much depends upon what has been swallowed, and how long a period has occurred before treatment can be started. Whatever the circumstances, even when immediate home treatment seems effective, all such cases should be seen as soon as possible by physicians, who can continue the necessary procedures. ---------------- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.