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Dietary supplement

Activated Charcoal Powder Unflavored Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Nutricost

Activated Charcoal Powder Unflavored label
See full label image
Powder 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 Powder Unflavored 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 Powder Unflavored is a dietary supplement by Nutricost 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 powder. 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 Powder Unflavored by Nutricost

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

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Activated Charcoal Powder Unflavored by Nutricost

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 12, 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 is straightforward: it contains one active ingredient, activated charcoal powder. There are no inactive fillers or other ingredients listed.

Activated charcoal is a form of carbon that's been specially treated to make it porous, which allows it to bind to substances in your digestive tract.

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 (“digestive support and detoxification”), 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 for activated charcoal is mixed and depends on what you're using it for. It's possibly effective for poisoning — it's actually a standard emergency-room treatment for certain overdoses and ingestions because it can bind toxins before your body absorbs them.

For other uses listed in our data — including high cholesterol, indigestion, hangovers, wound healing, and high phosphate levels — there isn't enough reliable evidence to say whether it works. If you're thinking about it for one of those conditions, talk with your doctor first.

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 gastrointestinal side effects are common. You'll likely notice constipation, black stools, bloating, abdominal pain, or gas — these are the most frequent complaints, though they're usually temporary.

Rarely, it can cause more serious problems like a blockage in your intestines. Safety data for pregnancy and breastfeeding is limited; the evidence suggests it's possibly safe, but use only under medical guidance if you're pregnant or nursing.

Little safety data exists for routine long-term use, so check with your doctor or pharmacist before you start.

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 Nutricost Activated Charcoal, you must check any prescription or over-the-counter medications you're on. The product has Major-severity interactions with oral drugs (including common pain relievers, heart medications, and seizure drugs), Moderate interactions with birth control pills and alcohol, and potentially affects 2,008 individual medications overall.

Use the medication checker on this page — it's essential.

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 makes sense in an emergency poisoning situation, where a doctor or poison control directs it. For everyday use — whether for hangovers, digestion, or cholesterol — the evidence doesn't support it, and the risk of interfering with your medications is real and potentially serious.

If you take any regular medications, especially birth control or heart drugs, talk to your pharmacist before adding this.

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 May 22, 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 Powder Unflavored, straight from the product label.

Brand Nutricost
Barcode (UPC) 810014670119
Net contents 454 Gram(s); 1 Pound(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD May 22, 2020
DSLD ID 221374
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Powder
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten 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 Powder Unflavored by Nutricost, 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:
1.5 Gram(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1.5 Gram(s)
Servings per container
302
UPC/BARCODE
810014670119
IngredientAmount% DV
activated Charcoal powder1500 mg--

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.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Recommended Use: As a dietary supplement, mix 1 scoop daily with 8-12 oz of water or as directed by your physician.

As a Toothpaste: Add a small amount of Nutricost Activated Charcoal Powder onto a wet, clean toothbrush and brush like normal. After you're done, rinse well and use as often as needed.

Precautions

Warning: For healthy individuals 18 years and older.

Consult a physician prior to use pregnant or nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition.

Keep out of reach of children.

Do not use if safety seal is broken or missing.

Storage

Notice: Store in a cool, dry place.

General Statements

Contents are sold by weight, not volume. Some settling may occur.

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 Powder 1.5 g per serving

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Seals/Symbols

Nutricost Quality guaranteed Third Party Tested

Formulation

Non GMO Gluten free product

Coconut shell derived

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

See for yourself

Activated Charcoal Powder Unflavored by Nutricost label

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

Activated Charcoal Powder Unflavored 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 Powder Unflavored by Nutricost

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

Serving size1.5 Gram(s) Dosage formPowder Servings per container302 Amounts shown are per serving.

Activated Charcoal powder

Interacts with
2,027 drugs
1500 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 powder monograph & interactions
Interaction report

Activated Charcoal Powder Unflavored by Nutricost Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Activated Charcoal Powder Unflavored?

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 powder 2,027

Individual Drug Interactions

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

1 of the 1 ingredient in Activated Charcoal Powder Unflavored interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. activated Charcoal powder

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Activated Charcoal Powder Unflavored 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 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
activated Charcoal powder full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Activated Charcoal Powder Unflavored, from the product label.

Nutricost

See all Nutricost products
Name
Nutricost
Street Address
351 E 1750 N
City
Vineyard
State
UT
ZipCode
84059
Phone Number
(866) 438-3694
Web Address
www.nutricost.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Activated Charcoal Powder Unflavored by Nutricost: Common Questions

Does Activated Charcoal Powder Unflavored by Nutricost interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Activated Charcoal Powder Unflavored 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 Powder Unflavored 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.
What is activated charcoal, and how does it work?
Activated charcoal is carbon that's been treated to become very porous, so it can bind to substances in your digestive tract and prevent your body from absorbing them. That's why it's used in emergency poisonings — it traps toxins before they enter your bloodstream.
Will activated charcoal make my medications less effective?
Yes — activated charcoal can bind to many oral medications and reduce how much of them your body absorbs, potentially making them less effective. That's why it's critical to check your specific medications with our search tool and talk to your pharmacist before you use it.
Is activated charcoal safe to use if I take birth control?
Activated charcoal may reduce how well oral contraceptives work and raise the risk of contraceptive failure. If you're on birth control, talk to your pharmacist or doctor before starting charcoal, and consider spacing out when you take them.
What side effects should I expect?
The most common side effects are gastrointestinal: constipation, black stools, bloating, abdominal pain, and gas. These are usually temporary. Rarely, it can cause a blockage in your intestines, so contact your doctor if you have severe abdominal pain or can't have a bowel movement.
Can I use activated charcoal while pregnant or breastfeeding?
The safety data is limited, but it's rated possibly safe. However, use it only under medical guidance if you're pregnant or nursing — talk to your doctor or pharmacist to weigh the risks and benefits for your situation.

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

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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 Powder Unflavored label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Activated Charcoal Powder Unflavored’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 Powder Unflavored'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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