New cocktail of charcoal and laxative could speed up poison recovery
NCT ID NCT07201311
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jul 07, 2026 · Updated 4 times
Summary
This study tests whether giving a combination of activated charcoal and polyethylene glycol (a laxative) can reduce the amount of toxic drugs absorbed in the gut for people with severe poisoning in intensive care. Two hundred adults on ventilators will be randomly assigned to get either the combined treatment or standard care with charcoal alone. The main goal is to see if drug levels in the blood drop more after 24 hours with the combined approach.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- activated charcoal and polyethylene glycol
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could improve how quickly toxic drugs are removed from the body in severe poisoning cases, potentially reducing ICU stay and complications.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase study (Phase 2) with only 200 patients. The treatment may not significantly lower drug levels, and side effects like bowel obstruction or electrolyte imbalances are possible.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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About 200 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jun 2026
- Expected to finish
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Jul 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: Patient aged ≥18, intoxicated and hospitalised in intensive care AND * Main drug toxicant of functional type (any psychotropic or cardiotropic), adsorbable by activated charcoal And * Main toxicant identified by the history taken by a healthcare professional on the ward or during care prior to the ward And * Main toxicant identified within 3 hours of admission if the patient is already intubated on admission, or within 3 hours of intubation if the patient is intubated on the ward AND * Patient intubated for effects attributed to the toxic agent (neuro-respiratory or haemodynamic failure) AND * Patient with nasogastric tube or planned nasogastric tube and no contraindications AND * Main toxicant whose assay can be performed by the toxicology laboratory at Lariboisière Hospital AND Inclusion according to the emergency clause * Written informed consent from a parent/relative/trusted person. In the absence of a parent/relative/trusted person, the patient may be included under the emergency procedure and consent will be obtained as soon as possible. Exclusion Criteria: * No social security affiliation * Non-intubated patient * Contraindication to the administration of one of the study products (e.g. suspected digestive perforation, intestinal obstruction, inflammatory bowel disease, etc.) * Inability to insert a nasogastric tube * Repeated vomiting prior to inclusion, making digestive decontamination impossible * Digestive haemorrhage in progress or during the previous month * Ingestion of metals (e.g. iron, caesium, thallium, lead, copper, cadmium) * Isolated or predominant alcohol poisoning (e.g. ethyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, methanol) * Intoxication by gas (e.g. carbon monoxide or fire fumes) * Intoxication by a caustic product (acids or bases) * Main toxicant ingested under liquid form * Intoxication by a toxic lesion * Intoxication by a non-medicated product (e.g. party drugs) * Intubation for causes not attributed to the ingested toxic substance (e.g. massive inhalation pneumonia) * In-body carrier of drug pellets * Pregnant or breast-feeding patients * Patients being treated for dementia * Patient under guardianship or curatorship * Patients under legal protection * Patients deprived of their liberty
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Sebastian Voicu
RECRUITINGParis, 75010, France