Activated Charcoal
About Activated Charcoal
Activated Charcoal belongs to the class of medications called antidotes. It is primarily used to treat various swallowed poisons. It is also used in reducing gas, indigestion, and various skin products to open skin pores and absorb dirt.
Activated Charcoal contains Activated charcoal, which is made up of heating charcoal along with gas. It is essential for the gut to prevent the absorption of poison into the bloodstream.
Activated Charcoal may cause certain side effects like constipation, headache, nausea, black stools, and vomiting. These side effects do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. Activated Charcoal is generally taken under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
Discontinue and inform your doctor if you observe any allergic reactions during the treatment. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and all the medicines you take to rule out any side effects. Also, inform your doctor if you have any serious allergic reactions, liver/kidney problems, or GI disorders before using Activated Charcoal. Do not take Activated Charcoal if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless the doctor advises.
Uses of Activated Charcoal
Medicinal Benefits
Activated Charcoal contains Activated charcoal, which is useful in various poisoning cases. It helps the body's natural defence against illness and infection. It works by trapping the drugs and other chemicals. This helps the gut to prevent the absorption of poison into the bloodstream.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Activated Charcoal
- Constipation
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Black stools
Drug Warnings
Discontinue and inform your doctor if you observe any allergic reactions during the treatment. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and all the medicines you take to rule out any side effects. Also, inform your doctor if you have any skin reaction or irritation to any medicine, liver/kidney disease, slow digestion, gastrointestinal blockage, or any other conditions before using Activated Charcoal. Activated Charcoal is safe for use in pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers if taken in the suggested dose. It is advised not to take more than the recommended dose of Activated Charcoal as it can cause major adverse effects. Activated Charcoal can be given in children only if prescribed by the doctor/paediatrician. Activated Charcoal is not recommended for use in patients who developed seizures after poison ingestion. It is advised not to consume alcohol as it can decrease the effect of Activated Charcoal.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Activated Charcoal may interact with birth control pills, syrup of ipecac, antibiotics (oxytetracycline, doxycycline), antipsychotics (amitriptyline, carbamazepine), diuretics (furosemide), and many other drugs taken by oral route.
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid or reduce intake of alcohol.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have liver/kidney disease, malabsorption syndrome, and gastrointestinal blockage.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeDrinking alcohol while taking Activated Charcoal is not suggested since it may decrease the effect of Activated Charcoal.
Pregnancy
safe if prescribedActivated Charcoal is generally safe for use in pregnant women if taken for a short-term treatment. Hence, if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, inform your doctor before taking it.
Breast Feeding
safe if prescribedActivated Charcoal is generally safe for use in pregnant women if taken as a short-term treatment. Hence, if you are breastfeeding, inform your doctor before taking it.
Driving
consult your doctorIt is not known whether Activated Charcoal affects the ability to drive. Please consult your doctor.
Liver
consult your doctorInform your doctor if you have any history of liver disease.
Kidney
consult your doctorInform your doctor if you have any history of liver disease.
Children
safe if prescribedActivated Charcoal is generally safe for use in children. The dose of the medicine will be decided by your paediatrician.
Habit Forming
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Poisoning: It is a substance that causes injury or death when a person or the individual is exposed to a chemical/chemicals that cause harm to the body. It can occur due to inhaling, swallowing, or injecting various drugs, gases, chemicals and venom.
FAQs
Activated Charcoal is used to treat Poisoning.
Activated Charcoal is made up of heating charcoal along with gas. It is essential for the gut to prevent the absorption of poison into the bloodstream.
Activated Charcoal is also used to treat flatulence, gas and abdominal pain. Please consult your doctor for more information.
