Major interaction on record — check this product against your medications before combining. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Activated Charcoal 1200 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by NaturaLife Labs

Capsule Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Major
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Major

Activated Charcoal 1200 mg is a dietary supplement by NaturaLife Labs with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for poisoning and drug overdose (in emergency care), gas and bloating, upset stomach.Based on those ingredients, 2,027 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated major. The ingredients most likely to interact are Activated Charcoal. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Activated Charcoal 1200 mg by NaturaLife Labs

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains one active ingredient: activated charcoal at 1,200 mg per capsule. Activated charcoal is a highly porous form of carbon that works by binding to substances in your digestive tract.

The capsule itself is made from vegetarian material.

Does it work?

Moderate evidence
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports this product's ingredients for its stated purpose, but it isn't conclusive.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: promote detoxification in the body.
  • We looked for evidence on: Poisoning, Gas and bloating, Upset stomach, General detoxification.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Activated Charcoal is rated "Possibly Effective" for Poisoning (Natural Medicines).

Activated charcoal is possibly effective for poisoning (acute overdose and toxin exposure). For other uses — including high blood phosphate (hyperphosphatemia), wound healing, upset stomach (dyspepsia), hangover, and high cholesterol — the evidence in our data isn't solid enough to say whether it works.

Talk with your pharmacist or doctor about what activated charcoal can realistically do for your particular reason for considering it.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Activated Charcoal

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Activated charcoal is generally well tolerated for short-term use, but you should know what to expect. The most common side effects are digestive: constipation (the most frequent complaint), black stools, belly pain, bloating, and gas.

These are usually mild and go away on their own. In rare cases, it can cause a blockage in your intestines or aspiration (charcoal going into the lungs), so it's not for routine daily use without medical guidance.

Safety data in pregnancy and nursing is limited. The available information suggests it may be okay in pregnancy, but it hasn't been well studied for regular use.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it if you're pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Activated Charcoal

Meds to double-check

Major interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Major identified

At least one ingredient has a documented Major-severity interaction. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Activated Charcoal.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Major.
  • For scale: 2,028 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before taking activated charcoal, check with your pharmacist or doctor if you take any oral medications — charcoal can significantly reduce how well they work. Also flag oral contraceptives (birth control pills), which charcoal may make less effective.

Don't take it with alcohol, as alcohol lowers how well charcoal binds to things.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence for its stated purpose. Major medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Activated charcoal is used mainly in acute poisoning situations under medical supervision. If you take any medications — especially birth control, heart drugs, or seizure preventers — you'll need to check first because charcoal can interfere with them.

For other uses like digestion or hangover, the evidence isn't clear. Always run your medications through the checker on this page before starting.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jun 24, 2020.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Activated Charcoal 1200 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand NaturaLife Labs
Net contents 100 Veggie Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jun 24, 2020
DSLD ID 229128
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegan, Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Sugar Free
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Activated Charcoal 1200 mg by NaturaLife Labs, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
2 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
50
IngredientAmount% DV
Activated Charcoal1200 mg--

Other ingredients: Vegetarian Capsule

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Formula

Potency: Our pure activated charcoal is highly absorbent used to promote detoxification in the body, due to its millions of tiny pores which help absorb chemicals. Our formula delivers 1,200 mg per serving making it the highest available on the market with impressive potency.

Activated charcoal derived from coconut shells 1200 mg per serving

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Recommendations: As a dietary supplement take two (2) capsules daily, 2-3 hours before/after meals or as recommended by your healthcare practitioner.

Precautions

Caution: Pregnant or nursing mothers, children under the age of 18, and individuals with a serious medical condition should consult with your health care professional before using this product or any dietary supplement.

Caution: Pregnant or nursing mothers, children under the age of 18, and individuals with a serious medical condition should consult with your health care professional before using this product or any dietary supplement.

Do not use if the band around the cap is broken or missing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

Formulation

This product has been manufactured by a FDA registered facility.

Vegan

Made with Non-GMO ingredients

Highly absorbent Helps alleviate gas & bloating Promotes natural detoxification

No: GMO's, fillers, preservatives, stearates, artificial ingredients, binders, dioxides, lactose. Does not contain: Corn, gluten, soy, sugar, shellfish, milk, egg, peanuts.

Seals/Symbols

GMP Good Manufacturing Practice Certified Third Party Tested

Made in USA Lab Tested

General Statements

NaturaLife Labs A higher standard

All natural Best quality Best seller

FDA Statement of Identity

Natural Dietary Supplement

FDA Disclaimer Statement

This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

See for yourself

Activated Charcoal 1200 mg by NaturaLife Labs label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Activated Charcoal 1200 mg by NaturaLife Labs

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size2 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container50 Amounts shown are per serving.

Activated Charcoal

Interacts with
2,027 drugs
1200 mg per serving Form: organic Coconut

Activated charcoal is a highly porous form of carbon that can bind certain substances in the gut, and it is used in hospitals to treat some poisonings...

Activated Charcoal monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Vegetarian Capsule. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Activated Charcoal 1200 mg by NaturaLife Labs Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Activated Charcoal 1200 mg?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
2,027Drugs
2,022 Major 5 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Activated Charcoal 1200 mg with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Activated Charcoal3 drug types · 2,027 drugs

Oral Drugs

Activated charcoal reduces systemic exposure to many drugs, including those that undergo enterohepatic recirculation, regardless of the route of administration.
Activated charcoal adsorbs various drugs and may reduce their absorption and/or half-life. Examples of affected drugs include acetaminophen, aminophylline, amiodarone, atenolol, carbamazepine, dapsone, digoxin, disopyramide, fluoxetine, indomethacin, moxifloxacin, nadolol, phenytoin, phenobarbital, piroxicam, quinine, sotalol, theophylline, tricyclic antidepressants, valproate, and verapamil. Avoid co-administration, except after drug overdose.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Alcohol (Ethanol)

The binding action of activated charcoal may be reduced by alcohol.
Alcohol may lower the adsorptive capacity of activated charcoal.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Contraceptive Drugs

Activated charcoal may reduce the clinical effects of oral contraceptives.
Activated charcoal, taken in a dose of 5 grams four times daily for 3 days, may bind to, and reduce the absorption of, oral contraceptives, thereby limiting their effectiveness and increasing the risk of contraceptive failure. However, some clinical research shows that the risk for this interaction is minimal when activated charcoal is taken either 3 hours after or at least 12 hours before oral contraceptives.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Activated Charcoal 1200 mg, from the product label.

NaturaLife Labs

See all NaturaLife Labs products
Name
NaturaLife Labs, Inc
Street Address
21515 Hawthorne Blvd. Suite 200
City
Torrance
State
CA
ZipCode
90503
Web Address
www.NaturaLifeLabs.net
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Activated Charcoal 1200 mg by NaturaLife Labs: Common Questions

Does Activated Charcoal 1200 mg by NaturaLife Labs interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Activated Charcoal 1200 mg has a known interaction with 2,027 medications, including 2022 rated major. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Activated Charcoal 1200 mg contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Can I take this with my other medications?
Activated charcoal interacts with many oral drugs and can reduce how well they work. You should not take it at the same time as other medications. Check your specific drugs using the interaction tool on this page, and ask your pharmacist about timing — you may need to space them several hours apart.
Will this affect my birth control?
Yes. Activated charcoal may reduce how well oral contraceptives work, raising the risk of unintended pregnancy. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor about whether it's safe for you to take both, and whether you need extra protection.
What side effects should I expect?
The most common side effects are digestive: constipation, black stools, belly pain, bloating, and gas. These usually show up in the short term and are typically mild. Rarely, it can cause a blockage in your intestines, so don't use it routinely without medical guidance.
Is it safe during pregnancy?
The evidence on activated charcoal in pregnancy is limited. It's rated as possibly safe, but not well studied for routine use. If you're pregnant or trying to become pregnant, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it.
Does it actually work for hangovers or upset stomach?
For poisoning, activated charcoal is possibly effective. For hangover, upset stomach, high cholesterol, and wound healing, the evidence in our data isn't solid enough to say whether it works. Your pharmacist can discuss what's realistic for what you're dealing with.
Can I drink alcohol while taking this?
Alcohol can lower how well activated charcoal works in your body, so it's best to avoid it while taking this product.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Activated Charcoal 1200 mg is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Activated Charcoal 1200 mg label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Activated Charcoal 1200 mg's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 14 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Activated Charcoal 14 references
  1. Kaaja RJ, Kontula KK, Raiha A, Laatikainen T. Treatment of cholestasis of pregnancy with peroral activated charcoal. A preliminary study. Scand J Gastroenterol 1994;29:178-81.
  2. Anon. Position statement and practice guidelines on the use of multi-dose activated charcoal in the treatment of acute poisoning. American Academy of Clinical Toxicology; European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists. J Toxicol Clin T
  3. Park GD, Spector R, Kitt TM. Superactivated charcoal versus cholestyramine for cholesterol lowering: a randomized cross-over trial. J Clin Pharmacol 1988;28:416-9. PubMed
  4. Hoegberg LC, Angelo HR, Christophersen AB, Christensen HR. Effect of ethanol and pH on the adsorption of acetaminophen (paracetamol) to high surface activated charcoal, in vitro studies. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 2002;40:59-67. PubMed
  5. Brahmi N, Kouraichi N, Thabet H, Amamou M. Influence of activated charcoal on the pharmacokinetics and the clinical features of carbamazepine poisoning. Am J Emerg Med 2006;24(4):440-3. PubMed
  6. Gude AB, Hoegberg LC, Angelo HR, Christensen HR. Dose-dependent adsorptive capacity of activated charcoal for gastrointestinal decontamination of a simulated paracetamol overdose in human volunteers. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2010;106(5)406-10. PubMed
  7. Wananukul W, Klaikleun S, Sriapha C, Tongpoo A. Effect of activated charcoal in reducing paracetamol absorption at supra-therapeutic dose. J Med Assoc Thai 2010;93(10):1145-9.
  8. Wang Z, Cui M, Tang L, et al. Oral activated charcoal suppresses hyperphosphataemia in haemodialysis patients. Nephrology (Carlton) 2012;17(7):616-20. PubMed
  9. Wang X, Mondal S, Wang J, et al. Effect of activated charcoal on apixaban pharmacokinetics in healthy subjects. Am J Cardiovasc Drugs 2014;14(2):147-54. PubMed
  10. Chyka PA, Seger D, Krenzelok EP, et al. Position paper: single-dose activated charcoal. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2005;43(2):61-87. PubMed
  11. Chiew AL, Gluud C, Brok J, Buckley NA. Interventions for paracetamol (acetaminophen) overdose. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2018;2:CD003328. PubMed
  12. Elomaa K, Ranta S, Tuominen J, Lähteenmäki P. Charcoal treatment and risk of escape ovulation in oral contraceptive users. Hum Reprod. 2001;16(1):76-81. PubMed
  13. Gao Y, Wang G, Li Y, Lv C, Wang Z. Effects of oral activated charcoal on hyperphosphatemia and vascular calcification in Chinese patients with stage 3-4 chronic kidney disease. J Nephrol. 2019;32(2):265-72. PubMed
  14. Skov K, Graudal NA, Jürgens G. The effect of activated charcoal on drug exposure following intravenous administration: A meta-analysis. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2021;128(4):568-578. PubMed

See these in context on the Activated Charcoal monograph →

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.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

Keep exploring