[Primary decontamination: vomiting, gastric irrigation or only medicinal charcoal?]

Abstract

Procedures to reduce the absorption of ingested poisons have been employed widely for decades in the management of intoxicated patients. However, evidence of substantial clinical benefit to the majority of patients undergoing such treatments is lacking. Volunteer studies suggest that activated charcoal is generally more effective than either syrup of ipecacuanha or gastric lavage, though lavage may be more effective than syrup of ipecacuanha. Studies in poisoned patients have shown that although lavage is more effective than syrup of ipecacuanha, it led to a better outcome in comatose patients only if performed less than one hour after overdose. Syrup of ipecacuanha did not alter the outcome beneficially in those who were alert on presentation and is known to produce significantly more complications than charcoal alone even in patients who are awake with a gag reflex. A recent study suggests that activated charcoal may be superior both to lavage and syrup of ipecacuanha. Based on these studies it would seem reasonable to recommend that 50 to 100 g activated charcoal be administered to patients who have taken a substantial amount of a toxic substance less than one hour previously. This may be done conveniently by using an orogastric tube, which would also allow lavage to be undertaken with possible additional benefit.