Hospital Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)

Medication Generic Name: Activated Carbon Spheres (Next-Generation Activated Charcoal)

Medication Trade Name: ReadyRESCUE™

Who is authorized to perform: 

• Applies to all veterinary staff involved in the administration of ReadyRESCUE™ at the direction of the attending veterinarian.
• Pet owners at the direction of attending veterinarian

When is it applied:

• In the management of oral toxin ingestion (i.e. GI decontamination)

General information:

• ReadyRESCUE™ is a next-generation activated charcoal (activated carbon spheres)
• Dosage of ReadyRESCUE™ can be based on the weight of the patient (1-4g/kg) or based on the amount of toxin ingested if known. If the weight of toxin is known, ReadyRESCUE™ can be administered to the patient in a 10:1 ration of ReadyRESCUE™ to toxin (i.e. 10g of ReadyRESCUE™ to 1g of toxin)  
• Compared to Toxiban® and activated charcoal, ReadyRESCUE™ has been shown to have no significant difference in the adsorption of – Acetaminophen, Naproxen, Ivermectin, Caffeine, Theobromine, Mycotoxin (Roqufortine), Bromethalin, and Delta 9-THC on a gram per gram basis (Chaganti, A., & Brainard, B. M. (2026). Comparison of adsorptive capacity for different types of activated charcoal for common veterinary toxicants. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 13, 1741145.)
• ReadyRESCUE™ is 1/7 the volume of Toxiban® liquid and is clean, making administration fast and without hassle.  
• ReadyRESCUE™ is pure activated carbon, with no excipients such as sorbitol, so it does not cause electrolyte disturbances
• ReadyRESCUE™ does not dissolve in liquid, so intestinal impaction is not a concern with higher or repeated dosages. 

Storage and Stability:

• ReadyRESCUE™ should be stored at room temperature.

Administration and dosing:

• Mix ReadyRESCUE™ with a palatable substance such as canned dog food or other treat (other than peanut butter) and allow patient to ingest on their own. 
• ReadyRESCUE™ can be mixed with water and administered through an NG tube that is 10f or larger. 
• ReadyRESCUE™ is labeled for a 2.2g/kg dosage of activated charcoal. Each vial treats 30lbs (13.6kg) of patient. Animals 15lbs and smaller can receive ½ vial of ReadyRESCUE™
• Double dosages (4.4g/kg) of ReadyRESCUE™ can be administered in cases of massive intoxication. 
• Dosage of ReadyRESCUE™ can be based on the weight of the patient (1-4g/kg) or based on the amount of toxin ingested if known. If the weight of toxin is known, ReadyRESCUE™ can be administered to the patient in a 10:1 ration of ReadyRESCUE™ to toxin (ie. 10g of ReadyRESCUE™ to 1g of toxin)  
• Toxins with enterohepatic recirculation—notably NSAIDs, bromethalin, THC, barbiturates, and certain chemotherapeutics—can persist for many hours after initial ingestion. In these cases, repeated activated charcoal (0.5–1 g/kg q6–8h for 2–3 doses) is recommended to disrupt reabsorption and shorten toxin half-life. Charcoal should always be given with close monitoring for dehydration and GI motility.

Scenario / Toxin	Repeat Charcoal Recommended?	Frequency / Duration
NSAIDs (carprofen, naproxen, ibuprofen)	✅ Yes	q6–8h for 2–3 doses
Bromethalin rodenticide	✅ Yes	q8h for 2–3 doses
Marijuana / THC	✅ Yes	q6–8h for 24h
Barbiturates (phenobarbital)	✅ Yes	q6–8h for 24–36h
Theophylline, caffeine	✅ Yes	q6–8h for 24h
Cholecalciferol (vitamin D rodenticide)	✅ Yes	q8h for 2–3 doses
Ivermectin	✅ Yes	q8–12h for 24–48h
SSRIs / TCAs	⚠️ Case-by-case	If clinical signs prolonged
Xylitol, ethylene glycol, heavy metals	❌ No	Not effective

• ReadyRESCUE™ can be sent home with pet owners for home administration in cases where repeated dosing is required or ReadyRESCUE™ can be sent home for emergency use in cases of emergency for at risk animals or animals that live long distances from emergency veterinary care.

Compatibility/Drug Interactions:

• ReadyRESCUE™, like all activated charcoals, will adsorb any orally administered medication. 

Adverse effects:

• Well tolerated. As beads will not dissolve in the GI tract, patients will have beaded feces for 24 hours after administration. 

Overdose & acute toxicity:

• No information is available, however overdosage should not cause any systemic effects.

User safety notes (if indicated)

• There are no specific precautions for handling this medication.

References:  

• Khan SA & McLean MK. Vet Clin Small Anim Pract 2012;42(2):307–319.
• Osweiler GD et al. Blackwell’s Veterinary Toxicology, 3rd ed., 2018.
• Peterson ME, Talcott PA (eds). Small Animal Toxicology, 3rd ed., Elsevier, 2013.
• Veterinary Information Network (VIN) Toxicology Library, 2024.
• Chaganti, A and Brainard B. (2024, August). Comparison of adsorptive capacity for Naproxen among three activated charcoal products. Athens, GA.
• Chaganti, A and Brainard B. (2025, September). Comparison of adsorptive capacity for common veterinary toxicants among three activated charcoal products. San Diego, CA.
• Glassman, M. (n.d.). ReadyRESCUE™ versus Toxiban®: A prospective randomized crossover study evaluating administration efficiency, clean-up burden, and delivered dose of activated charcoal in dogs. AllPet Inc.