What is Activated Charcoal used for?

Activated Charcoal is indicated for: Toxin ingestion, Toxin ingestion (decontamination).

Which species have cited Activated Charcoal dosing data?

Activated Charcoal dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 6 species: African Grey Parrot, Bearded Dragon, Cat (Domestic), Dog (Domestic), Guinea Pig, Rabbit (Domestic).

Is Activated Charcoal a controlled substance?

Activated Charcoal is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

Activated Charcoal

US brand names:ToxiBan, Actidose-Aqua

Calculate dosage

Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Activated Charcoal is dosed at 1–2 g/kg PO once in bearded dragons, per Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Antidote

Routes

Indications

Toxin ingestionToxin ingestion (decontamination)

Mechanism of Action

Highly porous carbon that adsorbs toxins in GI tract preventing systemic absorption. Efficacy highest within 1-2 hours of ingestion.

Side effects & warnings

Do NOT use for caustic/corrosive ingestion, petroleum products, or iron/lithium/ethanol (not adsorbed). Aspiration pneumonia risk with vomiting patients. Black stools expected.

Evidence levels across 6 dose rules

Strong×2Weak×3Moderate×1

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Backed by 5 published sources

· Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed
· DeClementi C. Chapter 82 - Prevention and Treatment of Poisoning. In: Academic Press; 2018:1141-1159. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.269 (2026-08-01).
· Lee JA. Emergency management and treatment of the poisoned small animal patient. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2013;43(4):757-771. Distributed by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. doi:10.1016/j.cvsm.2013.03.010 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.269 (2026-08-01).
· Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.796 (2026-08-01).
· Wismer T. Advancements in diagnosis and management of toxicologic problems. In: Speer B, eds. Current Therapy in Avian Medicine and Surgery; Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2016:589-599. doi:10.1016/b978-1-4557-4671-2.00027-6 — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.468 (2026-08-01).

Sample dosing (2 of 6 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 6 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.

Species	Route	Dose	Frequency	Evidence	Source
Dog (Domestic)	PO	1–2 g/kg	once (may repeat half dose q6-8h)	Strong	DeClementi C. Chapter 82 - Prevention and Treatment of Poisoning. In: Academic Press; 2018:1141-1159. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.269 (2026-08-01).
Cat (Domestic)	PO	1–2 g/kg	once	Strong	Lee JA. Emergency management and treatment of the poisoned small animal patient. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2013;43(4):757-771. Distributed by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. doi:10.1016/j.cvsm.2013.03.010 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.269 (2026-08-01).

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