MDose · Veterinary drug reference
ACTIVATED CHARCOAL
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One selection filters the source overview, clinical facts, reports and dose calculator. Literature references are not species-filtered.
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Source overview
Recorded excerpts for one species. Each dose remains a separate source entry; no regimen is selected.
Choose one species to view its source overview. All-species evidence remains available below.
View full clinical evidence and sources ↓Clinical evidence
Pending clinical review (PROPOSED)Rule-based (RULE_BASED)— applies to the facts and dose entries in this species selection; individual source records retain their own status.
Indications2
GI decontamination after oral toxin/drug ingestion — reduces systemic absorption
DogCatExtra-label (EXTRA_LABEL)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 246–248; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 174–175 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: GI decontamination after oral toxin/drug ingestion — reduces systemic absorption — Extra-label (labeled veterinary OTC products exist but not FDA-approved)
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 246–248; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 174–175 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: GI decontamination after oral toxin/drug ingestion — reduces systemic absorption — Extra-label (labeled veterinary OTC products exist but not FDA-approved)
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 246–248; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 174–175 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Dose regimens3
This calculator performs arithmetic only on the sourced dosing field shown for each result — it does not verify the field's accuracy, does not select which field to use for a patient, and does not replace a veterinarian's order. Not for clinical use. Confirm every result against the primary source before dispensing.
Choose one species above to view its dose calculator.
Adverse effects200
Black feces, constipation or diarrhea (esp. with sorbitol-containing products) — Common, expected
DogCatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 246–248; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 174–175 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 246–248; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 174–175 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Vomiting/aspiration if administered too rapidly — Risk factor — administer slowly, protect airway if sedated
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 246–248; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 174–175 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Hypernatremia — Documented, especially in small dogs/cats
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 246–248; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 174–175 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
These are counts of spontaneously reported events, not proven adverse effects, causal relationships, or incidence rates.
Bars compare report counts within each species; they do not show incidence.
More reportsFewer reportsCat
- Accidental exposure8 reports
- Vomiting8 reports
- Elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN)7 reports
- Diarrhoea6 reports
- Medication error NOS6 reports
- Partial anorexia6 reports
- Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT)4 reports
- Elevated creatinine4 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological')4 reports
- Low creatinine4 reports
- Ataxia3 reports
- Haematemesis3 reports
Dog
- Vomiting33 reports
- Accidental exposure31 reports
- Overdose21 reports
- Seizure NOS19 reports
- Ataxia18 reports
- Diarrhoea18 reports
- Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT)18 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological')18 reports
- Tremor15 reports
- Anorexia13 reports
- Elevated creatinine12 reports
- Behavioural disorder NOS11 reports
Monitoring1
Serum sodium (watch for hypernatremia signs — tremors, ataxia, seizures) especially with repeated dosing or in small patients; clinical signs/serum levels of the specific toxin being treated
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 246–248; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 174–175 — Monitoring Parameters · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Contraindications1
Not effective for mineral acids/alkalis, ethanol, methanol, iron salts, lithium, nitrates, sodium chloride/chlorate, petroleum distillates
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 246–248; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 174–175 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Precautions4
May obscure GI lesions on subsequent endoscopy; watch for hypernatremia (tremors, ataxia, seizures) especially in small patients
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 246–248; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 174–175 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Always recommend consulting an animal poison control center for specific protocol before use — appropriateness and dosing vary significantly by the specific toxin involved.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 246–248; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 174–175 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Outpatient use requires the owner to monitor for at least 4 hours for signs of hypernatremia (weakness, unsteadiness, tremors, seizures) and seek immediate care if these occur.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 246–248; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 174–175 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Charcoal stains everything it touches and the dry powder "floats" — handle carefully in clinic to avoid a mess.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 246–248; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 174–175 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Interactions3
Any other oral medication — Charcoal will adsorb and reduce their absorption — separate administration by ≥3 hours
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 246–248; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 174–175 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Dairy products, mineral oil — ↓ adsorptive capacity of charcoal
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 246–248; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 174–175 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Polyethylene glycol/electrolyte solutions (e.g., GoLYTELY) — ↓ adsorptive capacity
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 246–248; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 174–175 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pharmacokinetics2
Absorption — Not absorbed or metabolized — acts entirely within GI lumen
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 246–248; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 174–175 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Effectiveness window — Most effective within 4 hours of ingestion; declines significantly after
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 246–248; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 174–175 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pregnancy / lactation considerations1
No specific concerns — acts locally in GI tract, not systemically absorbed.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 246–248; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 174–175 — Pregnancy & Lactation · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Literature references19
References are linked to this drug. Species applicability is not recorded here, so the species filter does not narrow this list. Imported dates do not retain their original precision; confirm dates in the original citation.
- In Vitro Micropropagation of Rosa canina L.: From Establishment to Plant Acclimatization.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Anti-mycotoxin additive mixture in cattle feed contaminated with multiple mycotoxins: impacts on performance and health.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Efficacy of binders on sequestering per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances under in vitro ruminal conditions.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Severe hypernatremia in a dog following activated charcoal treatment for chocolate ingestion.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Ameliorative effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles and activated charcoal against the toxic effects of aflatoxins in ducks.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
Sources: PubMed, National Library of Medicine; openFDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Plumb DC. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook. 7th ed. PharmaVet Inc; 2011.
Owner information handout
Plain-language medication information to review with the owner. Open the handout to print it or download a PDF.