POSITION STATEMENT - CATHARTICS

Citation
POSITION STATEMENT - CATHARTICS, Journal of toxicology. Clinical toxicology, 35(7), 1997, pp. 743-752
Citations number
32
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Toxicology
ISSN journal
0731-3810
Volume
35
Issue
7
Year of publication
1997
Pages
743 - 752
Database
ISI
SICI code
0731-3810(1997)35:7<743:PS-C>2.0.ZU;2-W
Abstract
In preparing this Position Statement, all relevant scientific literatu re was identified and reviewed critically by acknowledged experts usin g agreed criteria. Well-conducted clinical and experimental studies we re given precedence over anecdotal case reports and abstracts were not usually considered. A draft Position Statement was then produced and subjected to detailed peer review by an international group of clinica l toxicologists chosen by the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology and the European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicolog ists. The Position Statement went through multiple drafts before being approved by the Boards of the two societies and being endorsed by oth er societies. The Position Statement includes a summary statement for ease of use and is supported by detailed documentation which describes the scientific evidence on which the Statement is based. The administ ration of a cathartic alone has no role in the management of the poiso ned patient and is not recommended as a method of gut decontamination. Experimental data are conflicting regarding the use of cathartics in combination with activated charcoal. No clinical studies have been pub lished to investigate the ability of a cathartic, with or without acti vated charcoal, to reduce the bioavailability of drugs or to improve t he outcome of poisoned patients. Based on available data, the routine use of a cathartic in combination with activated charcoal is not endor sed. If a cathartic is used, it should be limited to a single dose in order to minimize adverse effects.