Adsorption of paracetamol on activated charcoal

ABSTRACT

In Vitro studies were carried out to investigate the adsorption activity of activated charcoal for paracetamol powder and tablets at pH 7.5. The effect of alcohol 6% [v/v] and methionine 0.1 [M] on the adsorption activity of activated charcoal for paracetamol was also investigated at pH 7.5 using charcoal to drug ratios as 41, 51, 61, 81, 101. The adsorption of paracetamol is fast and is 95.6% in 30 minutes. There was no effect on adsorption due to presence of alcohol 6% while methionine 0.1M has little effect on the adsorption of paracetamol as methionine competes for binding sites. It is concluded that activated charcoal is effective in adsorbing paracetamol. Methionine [sulphydryl] compound can be used as an antidote along with activated charcoal because of its negligible effect on adsorption of paracetamol