What is the duration of action for activated charcoal?

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Multiple Choice

What is the duration of action for activated charcoal?

Explanation:
Activated charcoal adsorbs toxins in the gastrointestinal tract and is not absorbed into the bloodstream, so its effect lasts as long as it remains in the gut. The duration is governed by GI transit and excretion; once the charcoal is evacuated in the stool, its action ends. Therefore there isn’t a fixed time like 2 hours or 24 hours—the action continues until excretion. It does not delay excretion; its role is to reduce toxin absorption by binding substances in the gut.

Activated charcoal adsorbs toxins in the gastrointestinal tract and is not absorbed into the bloodstream, so its effect lasts as long as it remains in the gut. The duration is governed by GI transit and excretion; once the charcoal is evacuated in the stool, its action ends. Therefore there isn’t a fixed time like 2 hours or 24 hours—the action continues until excretion. It does not delay excretion; its role is to reduce toxin absorption by binding substances in the gut.

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