Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 4, 2026

Generation of a Rat Model of Acute Liver Failure by Combining 70% Partial Hepatectomy and Acetaminophen
Published on: November 27, 2019
Simulated acetaminophen overdose: pharmacokinetics and effectiveness of activated charcoal
S R Rose1, R L Gorman, G M Oderda
1Carolinas Poison Center, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, North Carolina 28232-2861.
Study Objective:
To determine the absorption rate of a supratherapeutic dose of acetaminophen elixir and compare the effect of activated charcoal (AC) given at different time intervals on preventing acetaminophen absorption.
Design:
Randomized, nonblinded, crossover controlled study.
Setting:
A certified regional poison control center.
Participants:
Ten healthy, adult male volunteers from 21 to 39 years old.
Interventions:
Each subject received 5 g acetaminophen (elixir) on four occasions: a control phase plus 30 g of AC administered 15, 30, or 120 minutes after acetaminophen. Serum acetaminophen levels were obtained during the control phase only, and 24-hour urine collections were obtained during all four phases.
Measurements And Main Results:
The highest serum acetaminophen levels were measured 1.4 +/- 0.52 hours after ingestion, and absorption was 97% complete by a mean of 2.05 hours. The administration of AC at 15, 30, and 120 minutes after acetaminophen reduced urinary recovery of acetaminophen and metabolites by 48%, 44%, and 33%, respectively.
Conclusion:
AC significantly reduces urinary recovery but not absorption of acetaminophen when administered two hours after acetaminophen elixir.
Related Concept Videos
Prevention of Further Absorption of Poison
Direct-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Pharmacokinetics
Anticholinesterase Agents: Poisoning and Treatment
Irreversible agents form a strong bond with the cholinesterase enzyme, making it inactive. The breakdown of the phosphorylated enzyme is slower than the...
Enhanced Elimination of Poison
Antidotes serve a crucial role in counteracting the effects of poison by inhibiting enzymes responsible for producing harmful drug metabolites. In some cases, these toxic metabolites can be neutralized by endogenous cosubstrates, which are maintained at specific concentrations to prevent interaction with cellular macromolecules and subsequent cell death.
Renal excretion is the...
Drug Toxicity: Dose-Dependent Reactions
Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Treatment Strategies

