Activated Charcoal—Past, Present and Future
Conclusion
Charcoal’s effectiveness in treating poisoning occurs
through its direct adsorption of the toxic substance in the
gastrointestinal tract. In some instances, further benefit is
gained through interference with enterohepatic or gastroenteral recirculation or back-diffusion (or both) of substance out
of the systemic circulation across the gastrointestinal mucosa.
Current evidence has drawn into question the routine use of
emetics in the emergency treatment of mild overdoses in patients who are awake. Several lines of evidence reinforce the
importance of the use of activated charcoal as the cornerstone
of therapy for a poisoned patient. Current evidence suggests a
continued role for lavage in more seriously overdosed comatose patients.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1306980/