Activated Charcoal Interactions Overview
Check For Interactions With Activated Charcoal
Activated Charcoal
- Activated Carbon
- Animal Charcoal
- Carbo Vegetabilis
- Carbón Activado
- Charbon Actif
- Charbon Activé
- Charbon Animal
- Charbon Médicinal
- Charbon Végétal
- Charbon Végétal Activé
- Charcoal
- Gas Black
- Lamp Black
- Medicinal Charcoal
- Noir de Gaz
- Noir de Lampe
Charcoal can be produced from a variety of sources, including peat, coal, wood, coconut shell, and petroleum. It has been used medicinally for gastrointestinal ailments such as upset stomach and flatulence. Activated charcoal has been reported to be effective at absorbing potential toxins and poisons after accidental ingestion, but it is important to seek medical attention first if you suspect this. Charcoal is 'activated' by increasing its surface area via heating or with an activating agent, like zinc chloride.
Additional Details
Is Active Charcoal Safe? Are There Any Warnings?
When taken orally or used topically in wound dressings, active charcoal is generally safe. Short-term oral use and topical application have shown to be safe. Long-term oral use in doses up to 1.2 grams three times daily for up to 3 years has also been considered safe. Pregnant women can use it orally in short-term doses of 50 grams three times daily for 8 days with apparent safety. The most common side effects include abdominal pain, black stools, bloating, constipation, and flatulence. Serious side effects are rare and may include gastrointestinal obstruction and pulmonary aspiration.
How Is Active Charcoal Thought to Work?
Activated charcoal is made by treating peat, coal, wood, coconut shell, or petroleum with high temperatures or activating agents. It has several mechanisms of action. It can reduce bile acid levels in pregnant patients with cholestasis, preventing symptoms. It may adsorb the active metabolite SN38, reducing diarrhea caused by irinotecan. By adsorbing drugs, it increases clearance and decreases elimination half-life. It interrupts the enterohepatic circulation of drugs, reducing exposure to certain medications. It can also adsorb gases, potentially reducing flatulence after meals. Furthermore, activated charcoal may promote wound healing by adsorbing bacteria and toxins.
Pharmacokinetics
There is insufficient information available about the pharmacokinetics of activated charcoal.
Interaction Overview
Activated charcoal may interact with alcohol, reducing its binding action. It may also reduce the clinical effects of oral contraceptives. When taken orally, it reduces systemic exposure to many drugs, including those that undergo enterohepatic recirculation. It can inactivate syrup of ipecac. No known interactions with supplements or lab tests have been reported.
Common Side Effects to Watch For
The most common side effects of active charcoal include abdominal pain, black stools, bloating, constipation, and flatulence. These side effects are generally well tolerated and not serious. However, serious side effects such as gastrointestinal obstruction and pulmonary aspiration are rare.
Are Supplements Standardized?
Activated charcoal supplements must meet USP (United States Pharmacopeia) standards, which require a minimum surface area of 900 m2 per gram.
Drugs that interact with Activated Charcoal
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Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.
DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.
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