$Unique_ID{BRK00265}
$Pretitle{Accidents, Poisoning, and Violence}
$Title{Is Charcoal Better Than Ipecac?}
$Subject{overdose treatment charcoal ipecac}
$Volume{O-10}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Is Charcoal Better Than Ipecac?


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QUESTION:  A recent crises, 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?

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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 its 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.
ÿ
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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.
