Actidose-Aqua Advance

Patient Information Leaflet

What does Actidose-Aqua Advance contain?

Actidose-Aqua Advance is a suspension containing 208 mg per ml of activated charcoal, together with some other ingredients which are included to give it a more pleasant taste. These ingredients are: sucrose, propylene glycol, glycerin, citric acid, potassium sorbate, methylparaben, propylparaben, butyl paraben and water.

Each 240ml bottle of Actidose-Aqua Advance contains 109g of sucrose.

Actidose-Aqua Advance is provided in bottles containing 120 ml or 240 ml and tubes containing 120 ml.

Activated charcoal, the active ingredient of Actidose-Aqua Advance, is not a drug but is a simple chemical substance that takes up and binds many other chemicals. Actidose-Aqua Advance prevents the absorption of many poisons from the stomach into the blood stream and also helps to eliminate some poisons from the body even after they have been absorbed.

The holder of the product licence for this medicine is

Actidose-Aqua Advance is made by

or by

What is Actidose-Aqua Advance used for?

Actidose-Aqua Advance is used for the emergency treatment of poisoning.

What should I tell the doctor before Actidose-Aqua Advance is used?

Tell the hospital staff/doctor if you suffer from any of the following medical conditions:

• hereditary fructose intolerance
• glucose-galactose malabsorption syndrome
• sucrase-isomaltase deficiency

If you know what poison has been taken, please tell the hospital staff at once. Actidose-Aqua Advance is effective in most cases, but is not usually used if the poison is one of the following:

• Alcohol
• Turpentine
• Corrosives such as alkalis, bleach and strong acids
• Petrol
• Paint thinner and other solvents
• Cleaning fluid
• Furniture polish
• Iron salts
• Insecticides such as malathion and DDT

If you can say how much has been taken this will help in deciding the correct dose of Actidose-Aqua Advance. Please also let the doctor know if the patient is pregnant. Although Actidose-Aqua Advance is generally regarded as safe in pregnancy, the doctor may prefer a different treatment to be given under these circumstances.

How Actidose-Aqua Advance is used

Actidose-Aqua Advance is not administered unless the patient is fully conscious. If something is given to make the patient sick, Actidose-Aqua Advance should not be taken until at least half an hour after the last bout of vomiting.

Actidose-Aqua Advance is usually taken by mouth but may also be given by stomach tube. The usual dose for adults and children over twelve is 50-100 grams of activated charcoal which will provide 109 – 218g of sucrose (1 to 2 large bottles or 2 to 4 small bottles or tubes). Children under twelve are usually given half the adult dose whilst the dose for infants under one is based on the child's weight.

Sometimes repeated doses of Actidose-Aqua Advance are given every 4 to 6 hours.

Side-effects

The only side-effect usually produced by Actidose-Aqua Advance is a blackening of the faeces, which may take the form of diarrhoea if a laxative is given as well as Actidose-Aqua Advance. If you think you have any other side-effect from taking this medicine, please tell your doctor or pharmacist. If you think that has caused any other side-effect, please tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist (chemist) about it.

Storing

Actidose-Aqua Advance should be stored between 15 and 30°C and should not be used after the expiry date given on the label.

All medicines should be kept out of the reach of children.

Date of preparation of this leaflet: October 2002