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. 2018 Dec 19;2018(12):CD013230. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013230
SDAC + cathartic compared to SDAC + cathartic (higher dose) for first aid in patients with acute oral poisoning
Patient or population: first aid in patients with acute oral poisoning (not specified)
 Setting: hospital setting
 Intervention: single‐dose activated charcoal (SDAC) + Cathartic
 Comparison: SDAC + Cathartic (higher dose)
Outcomes Anticipated absolute effects* (95% CI) Relative effect
 (95% CI) № of participants
 (studies) Certainty of the evidence
 (GRADE) Comments
Risk with SDAC + cathartic (higher dose) Risk with SDAC + cathartic
Incidence of mortality No studies collected or reported this outcome
Incidence of adverse events: 8 mL vs 4 mL magnesium citrate 34
 (1 RCT) ⊕⊝⊝⊝
 Very lowa,b,c The effect was not estimable due to zero events in intervention group (0/18) and control group (0/16).
We are uncertain about the effects of SDAC + cathartic (higher dose) on the incidence of adverse events.
Occurrence and severity of symptoms of poisoning No studies collected or reported this outcome
Duration of toxic symptoms No studies collected or reported this outcome
Drug absorption No studies collected or reported this outcome
Incidence of hospitalization (8 mL vs 4 mL magnesium citrate) control:0/16 and intervention 2/18 (Peto OR 7.01, 95% CI 0.42 to 117.63). 34
 (1 RCT) ⊕⊝⊝⊝
 Very lowa,b,d We are uncertain about the effects of SDAC + cathartic (higher dose) on the incidence of hospitalization.
Incidence of ICU admission No studies collected or reported this outcome
*The risk in the intervention group (and its 95% confidence interval) is based on the assumed risk in the comparison group and the relative effect of the intervention (and its 95% CI).
 CI: confidence interval; RCT: randomized controlled trial; OR: odds ratio; SDAC: single‐dose activated charcoal;
GRADE Working Group grades of evidenceHigh certainty: we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect.
 Moderate certainty: we are moderately confident in the effect estimate: the true effect is likely to be close to the estimate of the effect, but there is a possibility that it is substantially different.
 Low certainty: our confidence in the effect estimate is limited: the true effect may be substantially different from the estimate of the effect.
 Very low certainty: we have very little confidence in the effect estimate: the true effect is likely to be substantially different from the estimate of effect.