Effect of activated charcoal on frusemide induced diuresis: a human class experiment for medical students

We have introduced to the course in pharmacology for medical students a simple human experiment that demonstrates the efficacy of activated charcoal in gastrointestinal drug binding. Sixty-one students were given 40 mg frusemide with water, water only, or 40 mg frusemide and 8 g activated charcoal with water either immediately or after different time intervals. The diuretic effect of frusemide was totally prevented when taken together with charcoal, but became apparent gradually when charcoal was taken after a lag time. This experiment is simple to carry out and demonstrates vividly the treatment principles of acute intoxications.