Activated charcoal is powdered charcoal that has no odor or flavor
and is a common antidote used in hospitals for certain ingested poisons. It
helps prevent the absorption of many poisons from the gastrointestinal tract
but does not significantly impair the absorption of other poisons, such as
alcohols, cyanides, iron and other metals, corrosives, and most types of
pesticides.
While activated charcoal may be a useful addition to a household
emergency kit as an antidote to accidental poisonings in small children, it
should only be used when specified by a poison control center or a doctor.
Activated charcoal can be purchased at pharmacies.