Drug Binding to Charcoal

Activated charcoal is not effective in these compounds as they are either not carbon based or are too small to be bound tightly.

• Cyanide
• Ethanol
• Glycols and esters (e.g. ethylene glycol)
• Heavy metals
• Iron
• Lithium
• Methanol
• Strong acids or alkalis

Recent evidence supports some binding of some of these traditionally non-binding compounds.

Hoffman RS, Stringer JA, Feinberg RS, Goldfrank LR. Comparative efficacy of thallium adsorption by activated charcoal, Prussian blue, and sodium polystyrene sulfonate. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1999; 37(7):833-837 PMID10630266

Favin FD, Klein-Schwartz W, Oderda GM, Rose SR. In vitro study of lithium carbonate adsorption by activated charcoal. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1988; 26(7):443-450 PMID3148035

Gomez HF, McClafferty HH, Flory D, Brent J, Dart RC. Prevention of gastrointestinal iron absorption by chelation from an orally administered premixed deferoxamine/charcoal slurry. Ann Emerg Med 1997; 30(5):587-592 PMID9360566