Why is gastric lavage done and how soon after overdose?

• A. Remove toxins and irrigate stomach within one hour.
• B. Induce vomiting within two hours.
• C. Administer charcoal within three hours.
• D. Provide only supportive care.

Answer: (A)

The main concept is rapid gastric decontamination to remove ingested toxins before they are absorbed. Gastric lavage physically removes the contents of the stomach by passing a tube into the stomach and flushing it with liquid, reducing the amount of toxin that can be absorbed systemically. It works best when performed within about one hour of ingestion, while the toxin is still in the stomach, because once absorbed or moved into the small intestine, lavage becomes less effective and the procedure poses greater risks. While other measures like administering charcoal can be used within a broader window to bind toxins, gastric lavage is specifically aimed at early, rapid removal of poison from the stomach. Inducing vomiting is not routinely used due to the high risk of aspiration and is not the preferred decontamination method in this context.