giving charcoal

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

We all know what a joy it is to break out the charcoal. Whether it goes in the tube or down the gullet there is going to be a mess. Whenever I try to mix it there are huge lumps of coal in my tube, and no amount of shaking or squishing will dissolve those lumps. It's like Chunky Soup, serve it with a spoon AND a fork. Does anyone have a quick and easy solution to lumpless charcoal?

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Hi Tina...maybe's its the product you use? We use this charcoal that comes in a toothpaste-like container that you can just snip off the tip and the folks drink it without knowing that it is black. For kids, we put it in chocolate milk (leave it in the milk container) put a straw in it and again, down it goes. Haven't had issues with either method.

[Pedi-ER-RN, RN]

The pre-mix stuff in the tube is the best! I usually dilute it when pushing it down a tube.

[suzanne4, RN]

If the product is old and has been sitting on the shelf for some time, it will also clump.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

Yes, it's the stuff in the toothpaste tube. It clumps to the sides of the tube, and comes out in big coal rocks. Are you guys saying you usually have no problem? I have to shake that stuff until my arms fall off and then still squish out the lumps with a fork.

[shasta1]

i think i am clumsy with charcoal...i always end up getting it on my scrubs or splattering it on my face somehow...any way our charcoal is not too thick it goes down the ng tube with a little squirt of ns with no problem. i had a 2 yr old boy drink it today after ingesting berries from the neighbors lawn...went down easy. he seemed like he enjoyed it...of course mom let him play with the dirty empty cup at the end...boys will be boys

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Hmm I agree with Suzanne - maybe its an old product or subjected to temp extremes? I would discuss it with your pharmacy.

[jhushon]

I' ve found that if it seems chunky in the tube, put in the microwave for like 30 secs. Not 2 mins. I did that once and melted the entire tube.

[sjt9721, BSN, RN]

Use caution when heating it in the microwave since liquids tend to heat unevenly and it could have hot spots. (Infant at home...same applies to breastmilk/formula!) Another option would be to let the tube sit in a cup (graduated cylinder?) of hot water for a few minutes.

Another caution from my charcoal experiences...be careful thumping those tubes against the counter in order to break up the chunks in the bottom. That bottom seam of the tube can split while you're whipping that thing back & forth...and looking over your shoulder talking...and not paying attention...Get the picture? :chair: :roll

[student4ever]

Another caution from my charcoal experiences...be careful thumping those tubes against the counter in order to break up the chunks in the bottom. That bottom seam of the tube can split while you're whipping that thing back & forth...and looking over your shoulder talking...and not paying attention...Get the picture? :chair: :roll

LOL, I'm picturing it now, and LMAO!!! :roll

[mhull]

I always run warm water over the bottle when we start putting the tub down, by the time we are done, the clumps are gone. Try that, I promise it works.

[Pedi-ER-RN, RN]

The pre-mix with the sorbitol is never chunky going in and certainly not chunky comming out!!