Increased bowel sounds (prior to charcoal administration) may suggest organophosphate poisoning. Decreased bowel sounds suggests anticholinergic effects (TCAs, carbamazepine & neuroleptics)

Bowel sounds will be reduced in all of these poisonings and a paralytic ileus may develop.

Absent bowel sounds occur with the anticholinergic drugs.

Decreased bowel sounds occur with calcium channel blocking drugs and drugs with anticholinergic effects.

Increased bowel sounds (prior to GI decontamination) suggest organophosphates.

Decreased bowel sounds suggest anticholinergic drugs (TCAs, neuroleptics, and antihistamines) have been ingested.

Increased bowel sounds, prior to GI decontamination suggest organophosphates.