A pre-hospital team is managing an 8-year-old child who has ingested approximately 20 of her mother's iron tablets (325 mg ferrous sulphate each). She...

Question

A pre-hospital team is managing an 8-year-old child who has ingested approximately 20 of her mother's iron tablets (325 mg ferrous sulphate each). She is vomiting and has abdominal pain. Why is activated charcoal NOT effective for iron poisoning?

Accepted Answer

Iron is not adsorbed by activated charcoal - iron tablets are inorganic salts that do not bind to the charcoal matrix

Answer

Activated charcoal is effective for iron but the dose needs to be doubled

Answer

Activated charcoal only works for liquid poisons, not tablets

Answer

Activated charcoal is contraindicated in children

Answer

Iron is already absorbed before charcoal can be given

uk-dipimc MCQ (SBA): Activated Charcoal - Iron Limitation

A pre-hospital team is managing an 8-year-old child who has ingested approximately 20 of her mother's iron tablets (325 mg ferrous sulphate each). She is vomiting and has abdominal pain. Why is activated charcoal NOT effective for iron poisoning?