Gastrointestinal (GI) decontamination is a controversial topic among medical toxicologists

(A). Gastrointestinal decontamination strategies are most likely to be effective in the lst hour after an acute ingestion. GI absorption may be delayed after ingestion of agents that slow GI motility (anticholinergic medications, opioids), massive pill ingestions, sustained-release preparations, and ingestions of agents that can form pharmacologic bezoars (e.g., enteric-coated salicylates).