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 4:1, 5:1, 6:1, 8:1, 10:1. 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.