Major interaction on record — check this product against your medications before combining. Based on 1 of 2 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Activated Charcoal Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by VivaDoria

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

Activated Charcoal is a dietary supplement by VivaDoria with 2 active ingredients. 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 virgin Hardwood Activated Charcoal powder. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Activated Charcoal by VivaDoria

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

Low disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Low

Most active ingredients don't disclose an individual amount — you can't tell how much of each you're getting.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 0 of its 2 active ingredients.

VivaDoria Activated Charcoal contains 2 active ingredients: virgin Hardwood Activated Charcoal powder — the main ingredient that does the work — and virgin Carbon. The charcoal works by binding to substances in your digestive tract so your body can't absorb them.

There are no inactive ingredients (fillers or binders) listed for this product.

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: detoxify body from toxic substances.
  • We looked for evidence on: Poisoning, toxin elimination, heavy metal removal, activated charcoal detoxification.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Activated Charcoal is rated "Possibly Effective" for Poisoning (Natural Medicines).

The evidence for activated charcoal varies by what you're using it for. For poisoning, it's considered possibly effective.

For other uses — including high cholesterol, upset stomach, hangover relief, wound healing, and high blood phosphate levels — the evidence we hold is either insufficient or not reliable enough to rate whether it works. Talk to your pharmacist about whether it's the right choice for what you're trying to address.

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 constipation is the most common complaint and is usually temporary. Other gastrointestinal side effects include black stools, belly pain, bloating, and gas.

Rarely, it can cause a blockage in your GI tract or be accidentally inhaled into your lungs. The product hasn't been well studied for routine pregnancy use — if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it, as the safety data is limited.

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 product, check your medications against these drug types: oral drugs (the Major concern — a huge category that includes most pills and tablets), contraceptive drugs, and anything you're taking with alcohol. Because activated charcoal affects how many medications are absorbed, it's critical to verify your specific prescriptions with the tool on this page.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFormula with limited ingredient disclosure with some supporting evidence for its stated purpose. Major medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Activated charcoal may help with certain types of poisoning, but because it binds to so many oral medications and can reduce how well they work, you need to check your exact prescriptions before you start. If you take birth control, heart drugs, or most other oral medications, this product isn't a simple add-on — talk to your pharmacist first.

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

Assessment coverage: 1 of 2 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jan 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, straight from the product label.

Brand VivaDoria
Barcode (UPC) 638037992748
Net contents 4 oz.; 113 Gram(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jan 25, 2018
DSLD ID 82644
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Powder
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegan, Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years)
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 by VivaDoria, 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:
0.5 Teaspoon(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
0.5 Teaspoon(s)
UPC/BARCODE
638037992748
IngredientAmount% DV
virgin Hardwood Activated Charcoal powder0 NP--
virgin Carbon0 NP--

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

Activated charcoal is a fine black odorless and tasteless powder made from hardwood that have been exposed to very high temperatures in an airless environment. It is pure carbon specially processed to make it highly adsorbent of particles and gases in the body's digestive system.

100% natural

Premium quality

Absorbs a variety of toxic substances

Made in USA

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: Mix 1/2 teaspoon of activated charcoal powder with a glass of water and drink it to detoxify your body from toxic substances. For best results, take it once a day.

Precautions

Keep out of reach of children!!!

Formulation

Vegan

No preservatives

Seals/Symbols

USP

Formula

Virgin carbon - Hardwood derived

FDA Disclaimer Statement

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

See for yourself

Activated Charcoal by VivaDoria label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Activated Charcoal by VivaDoria

These are the 2 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size0.5 Teaspoon(s) Dosage formPowder Amounts shown are per serving.

Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.

Virgin Hardwood Activated Charcoal powder

Interacts with
2,027 drugs
0 NP per serving

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...

Virgin Hardwood Activated Charcoal powder monograph & interactions

Virgin Carbon

0 NP per serving Form: natural Hardwood
Interaction report

Activated Charcoal by VivaDoria Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Activated Charcoal?

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 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.

virgin Hardwood Activated Charcoal powder3 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, from the product label.

VivaDoria

See all VivaDoria products
Name
VivaDoria
City
Redmond
State
WA
ZipCode
98052
Phone Number
(425) 702-1805
Web Address
www.vivadoria.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Activated Charcoal by VivaDoria: Common Questions

Does Activated Charcoal by VivaDoria interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Activated Charcoal 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 contains 2 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is 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 if I'm on birth control?
Activated charcoal may reduce how well oral contraceptives work and increase the risk that birth control fails. Don't take them together without talking to your pharmacist or doctor first — you may need a different form of contraception or timing.
What are the most common side effects?
Constipation is the most frequent complaint, usually temporary. You might also notice black stools, belly pain, bloating, or gas. Rarely, it can cause a blockage in your digestive tract.
Is it safe to use long-term?
Activated charcoal is considered low-risk for short-term use, but long-term safety isn't well established. Because it can reduce how your body absorbs other things — including medications and nutrients — check with your pharmacist before using it regularly.
Can I take this with alcohol?
Alcohol may lower how well activated charcoal works at binding substances in your stomach, so it's not an ideal combination. If you're using charcoal for a specific reason, avoid alcohol while you're taking it.
Is it safe in pregnancy?
The safety data for routine pregnancy use is limited. It's rated possibly safe, but there isn't enough evidence to know either way. If you're pregnant or planning to be, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it.

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

Not sure if Activated Charcoal 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 label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Activated Charcoal'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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