Related Experiment Videos
Cocaine adsorption to activated charcoal in vitro
C Tomaszewski1, S Voorhees, J Wathen
1Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center, Denver General Hospital, Colorado.
The Journal of Emergency Medicine
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Activated charcoal (AC) effectively binds to cocaine in vitro. Higher AC to drug ratios significantly increase cocaine adsorption across various pH levels, confirming AC
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Pharmacology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Activated charcoal (AC) is frequently administered following cocaine ingestion.
- However, the efficacy of AC in binding cocaine has not been previously established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vitro binding capacity of activated charcoal (AC) for cocaine.
Main Methods:
- In vitro study measuring cocaine adsorption to AC.
- Evaluated AC:drug ratios of 1:1, 2.5:1, and 5:1 at pH 1.2 and pH 8.0.
- Statistical analysis (P < 0.05) compared adsorption means against a no-AC control.
Main Results:
- Significant cocaine adsorption by AC was observed at all tested AC:drug ratios and pH conditions.
- Adsorption rates increased with higher AC:drug ratios, reaching 99% at 5:1.
- Greater cocaine adsorption occurred at pH 8.0 compared to pH 1.2 at a 1:1 AC:drug ratio.
Conclusions:
- Activated charcoal demonstrates strong adsorption capabilities for cocaine.
- AC is effective in binding cocaine under both acidic and alkaline conditions.
- These findings support the use of activated charcoal in managing cocaine ingestions.