Charcoal, Activated

Basic Information

Brand names:
Activated-Charcoal Capsules
Charocaps(R)
Activated-Charcoal Oral Suspension
Actidose-Aqua(R)
Arma-a-Char(R)
Charcoaid(R)
Charcodote(R)
Insta-Char(R)
Liquid-Antidose(R)
Activated-Charcoal Powder for Slurry
Charcosalanti Dote(R)
Available from natural sources? No
Available from synthetic sources? Yes
Prescription required? No

NATURAL SOURCES

Not available from natural sources

REASONS TO USE

Helps prevent poison from being absorbed from stomach and intestines. Treats poisonings from medication. Helps absorb gas in intestinal tract.

UNPROVED SPECULATED BENEFITS

Removes bacteria and contaminants from food. Acts as a hangover cure. Treats infections. Treats hiccups. Treats diarrhea.

WHO NEEDS ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS?

People who have ingested poisonous substances.

DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS

None

UNPROVED SPECULATED SYMPTOMS

None

LAB TESTS TO DETECT DEFICIENCY

None available, except for experimental purposes.

DOSAGE AND USAGE INFORMATION

Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA):
No RDA has been established.

What this mineral does:
Charcoal can adsorb almost anything it contacts. An ADSORBENT is a substance that attaches things to its surface rather than absorbing them to itself. Activated charcoal is the ONLY adsorbent presently recognized by an FDA panel of experts for the treatment of ingested poison.

Miscellaneous information:
Activated charcoal is used for treatment of potential toxicity from ingesting poisonous substances. Charcoal used for medicinal purposes is treated with steam under high pressure and high temperature. Charcoal will NOT help remove from the intestinal tract the following potential poisons--cyanide, caustic alkalis, ethyl alcohol (as in whiskey and beer), methyl alcohol, iron supplements, mineral acids.

Available as:
Powder: Dissolve powder in cold water or juice. Take with meals or 1 to 1-1/2 hours after meals unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Tablets: Swallow whole with full glass of liquid. Don't chew or crush. Take with meals or 1 to 1-1/2 hours after meals unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Capsules: Swallow whole with full glass of liquid. Don't chew or crush. Take with meals or 1 to 1-1/2 hours after meals unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Don't take if:
Poison ingested is lye (or other strong alkali), strong acid (such as sulfuric acid), cyanide, iron, ethyl alcohol or methyl alcohol. Charcoal will NOT prevent these poisons from causing ill effects.

Consult your doctor if you have:
Taken charcoal as an antidote for poison.

Over age 55:
No problems expected.

Pregnancy:
No problems expected. Don't take megadoses.

Breast-feeding:
No problems expected. Don't take megadoses.

Effect on lab tests:
None expected.

Storage:
Store in cool, dry place away from direct light, but don't freeze. Store safely out of reach of children. Don't store in bathroom medicine cabinet. Heat and moisture may change action of mineral.

Others:
If used with syrup of ipecac, wait until vomiting has stopped before giving charcoal.

OVERDOSE/TOXICITY

Signs and symptoms:
None expected. Charcoal is not absorbed from intestines into
bloodstream.

What to do:
Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person takes much
larger amount than prescribed, call doctor, Poison-Control
Center or hospital emergency room for instructions.

ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS

INTERACTION WITH MEDICINE, VITAMINS OR MINERALS

INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES

Foods
Ice cream decreases charcoal effect. Sherbet decreases charcoal effect.