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Dietary supplement

Activated Charcoal 520 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Spring Valley

Activated Charcoal 520 mg label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Major
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Activated Charcoal 520 mg against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.

Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Major

Activated Charcoal 520 mg is a dietary supplement by Spring Valley 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.

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Check Your Meds Against Activated Charcoal 520 mg by Spring Valley

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Activated Charcoal 520 mg by Spring Valley — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Activated Charcoal 520 mg by Spring Valley

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

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Jul 11, 2026

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: 520 mg of activated charcoal per capsule. Activated charcoal is a highly porous form of carbon that works by binding to substances in your digestive tract.

The capsule also contains two inactive ingredients — gelatin (the capsule shell itself) and vegetable magnesium stearate (a flow agent to help with manufacturing).

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

This product doesn't appear to be marketed for a specific use, so we graded Activated Charcoal's overall clinical evidence instead.

Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports Activated Charcoal for:

Why this rating?
  • The label markets general wellness (“general wellness and digestive support”), not a specific health condition, so there is no single claim to grade against clinical-evidence data.
  • Since the label doesn't commit to one use, we graded the ingredient's overall clinical evidence instead.
  • On file: Poisoning — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).

The evidence we hold shows activated charcoal is possibly effective for poisoning — that's its best-supported use, typically in acute overdose or toxin exposure settings under medical supervision. For other claimed uses we have on file — hyperphosphatemia (high blood phosphate), wound healing, dyspepsia (indigestion), hangover relief, and cholesterol — the evidence is insufficient to rate its effectiveness.

Don't assume it works for those conditions based on this product alone.

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 there are real side effects to know about. The most common ones are gastrointestinal: constipation (usually temporary but the most frequent complaint), black stools, abdominal pain, bloating, and gas.

Rarely, it can cause gastrointestinal obstruction or, if aspirated into the lungs, pulmonary aspiration — both serious. It may also bind to other things your body needs to absorb, so don't use it long-term without medical guidance.

During pregnancy, safety data is limited; use only under a doctor's direction. The same goes if you're breastfeeding — we don't have enough data, so talk with your doctor or pharmacist first.

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 you take this, double-check any oral medications you're on — activated charcoal can significantly reduce how well they work (Major interaction). Also flag oral contraceptives if that's your birth control, as charcoal may lower their effectiveness (Moderate).

And if you drink alcohol regularly, note that it can interfere with how charcoal binds in your system (Moderate). Use the medication checker below to look up your exact drugs.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence behind its ingredients' uses. Major medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Activated charcoal is worth considering if you're dealing with acute poisoning or overdose under medical care, but it's not a casual supplement. If you take any medications — especially birth control, heart drugs, or diabetes medications — you must check them against the tool on this page before starting.

The constipation and other digestive side effects are common, and the interaction risk is real. Talk to your pharmacist about whether this is the right choice for you.

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 25, 2018.

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 520 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Spring Valley
Barcode (UPC) 681131151115
Net contents 60 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jun 25, 2018
DSLD ID 178360
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy 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 520 mg by Spring Valley, 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
30
UPC/BARCODE
681131151115
IngredientAmount% DV
Activated Charcoal520 mg--

Other ingredients: Gelatin, Vegetable Magnesium Stearate

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.
General Statements

Please recycle

General wellness

General

Item No. WM 12030 446901

FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Formula

Activated Charcoal 520 mg per serving

A popular absorbent made from coconut shells, used in ancient wellness programs.

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: Adults, take two capsules after meals. Do not exceed six capsules daily.

Any medication should be taken one hour prior to consuming this product.

Precautions

Do not exceed six capsules daily.

Warning: Pregnant or nursing women, individuals taking medication(s) or persons who have a health condition should consult their doctor before using this product.

Discontinue use and consult your doctor if any adverse reactions occur.

Any medication should be taken one hour prior to consuming this product.

Keep out of reach of children.

For your protection, do not use if seal under cap is broken or missing.

Formulation

No gluten, dairy, soy, peanuts, artificial colors, artificial flavors, sweeteners, preservatives

Storage

Store at room temperature 59(0)- 86(0)F (15(0)- 30(0)C). Keep bottle tightly closed.

Brand IP Statement(s)

Quality Guaranteed Spring Valley products are produced under strict quality guidelines. If you are unhappy with this product, we’ll replace it or refund your money.

Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.

See for yourself

Activated Charcoal 520 mg by Spring Valley label

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

Activated Charcoal 520 mg label

Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.

View the full label (PDF)
What’s inside

The Ingredients in Activated Charcoal 520 mg by Spring Valley

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 container30 Amounts shown are per serving.

Activated Charcoal

Interacts with
2,027 drugs
520 mg per serving Form: 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: Gelatin, Vegetable Magnesium Stearate. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Activated Charcoal 520 mg by Spring Valley Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Activated Charcoal 520 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

Activated Charcoal 2,027

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Activated Charcoal 520 mg interact with 2,027 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Activated Charcoal 520 mg interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Activated Charcoal

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Activated Charcoal 520 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
Activated Charcoal full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Activated Charcoal 520 mg, from the product label.

Spring Valley

See all Spring Valley products
Name
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
City
Bentonville
State
AR
ZipCode
72716
Phone Number
1-866-251-1662
Web Address
Walmart.com/springvalley
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Activated Charcoal 520 mg by Spring Valley: Common Questions

Does Activated Charcoal 520 mg by Spring Valley interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Activated Charcoal 520 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 520 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.
Will activated charcoal make my other medications less effective?
Yes, that's the main concern. Activated charcoal binds to many oral drugs and can reduce how much of them your body absorbs and how long they work. This is a Major interaction affecting many medication types. You absolutely need to check your specific prescriptions with the tool on this page before you start.
Does activated charcoal interfere with birth control?
It can. At higher doses, activated charcoal may bind to oral contraceptives and reduce their absorption, increasing the risk of contraceptive failure. If birth control is your method, talk with your pharmacist or doctor about timing or whether this product is right for you.
What are the most common side effects?
Gastrointestinal issues dominate: constipation (usually temporary but the most common complaint), black stools, abdominal pain, bloating, and gas. Rarely, activated charcoal can cause more serious problems like gastrointestinal blockage, so don't ignore persistent symptoms.
Is it safe to use activated charcoal during pregnancy?
The safety data is limited — it's rated possibly safe, but that's not a green light. Use it during pregnancy only under a doctor's guidance. The same applies if you're breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting.
What is activated charcoal actually used for?
The strongest evidence we have is for poisoning — typically in acute overdose or toxin exposure, handled in a medical setting. For other uses like indigestion, hangover relief, or high cholesterol, the evidence isn't established enough to say it works. Don't assume it'll help with those without talking to your pharmacist first.
Does alcohol affect how activated charcoal works?
Yes. Alcohol can lower the binding ability of activated charcoal, which means it may not work as well. If you drink regularly, keep that in mind when considering this product.

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

Not sure if Activated Charcoal 520 mg is safe with your meds?

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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 520 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Activated Charcoal 520 mg’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Herb & supplement monograph

Activated Charcoal

Interacts with 2,027 drugs

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 and overdoses. For everyday uses like g...

Read the full Activated Charcoal monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Activated Charcoal 520 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

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