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Dietary supplement

Charcoal 560 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Nature's Answer

Charcoal 560 mg label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Major
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 9, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Charcoal 560 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

Charcoal 560 mg is a dietary supplement by Nature's Answer 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 Charcoal 560 mg by Nature's Answer

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Charcoal 560 mg by Nature's Answer — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Charcoal 560 mg by Nature's Answer

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 16, 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: activated charcoal at 560 mg per capsule. Activated charcoal is a form of carbon that's been treated to have a porous structure, which allows it to bind to substances in your digestive tract.

The capsule also contains inactive ingredients—cellulose, rice flour, and calcium silicate—which are fillers and binders that hold the product together.

Does it work?

Couldn't assess
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
Not assessable

We hold no graded evidence for this product's ingredients for its stated purpose.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: promotes detoxification and waste elimination.
  • Our graded evidence for these ingredients doesn't cover that particular purpose.

The evidence for activated charcoal is mixed depending on what you're using it for. It's rated as possibly effective for poisoning.

For other uses like high cholesterol, wound healing, indigestion, hangovers, and high phosphate levels in blood, the evidence isn't established in the data we hold—there's either insufficient reliable evidence or the research isn't settled.

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 it commonly causes constipation, black stools, abdominal pain, bloating, and gas. Rarely, it can lead to gastrointestinal obstruction, a serious condition.

Because it reduces how well other things are absorbed, it can interfere with nutrients and medications. Safety data for routine use in pregnancy and breastfeeding is limited.

The data available rates it as possibly safe, but it's not well studied for everyday use in pregnancy. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether this is right for you if you're pregnant or nursing.

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 this product, double-check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take any oral medications—activated charcoal can reduce how well they work (major interaction). Also mention if you use oral contraceptives or drink alcohol regularly (both moderate interactions).

The number of potentially affected drugs is large, so going through your medication list with your own healthcare provider is important.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. Major medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Activated charcoal may be worth considering if you're dealing with poisoning under medical supervision, but the evidence for other common uses isn't established. Because it can lower how well many medications work—including birth control—you'll want to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it alongside any prescriptions.

If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, discuss it with your healthcare provider first.

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 Jul 18, 2023.

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 Charcoal 560 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Nature's Answer
Barcode (UPC) 083000164675
Net contents 90 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jul 18, 2023
DSLD ID 295426
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), Women (not pregnant or lactating), 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 Charcoal 560 mg by Nature's Answer, 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
45
UPC/BARCODE
083000164675
IngredientAmount% DV
Activated Charcoal560 mg--

Other ingredients: Cellulose, Rice Flour, Calcium Silicate

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.
Brand IP Statement(s)

Discover Nature's Answer and trust the Difference.

Nature's Answer Since 1972 Discover Nature's Answer

Copyright 2018 Nature's Answer

General Statements

The True Nature of our standards goes way beyond the herb.

For product information, call (800) 439-2324.

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.

Formulation

Free of sugar, salt, yeast, egg and wheat Gluten Free

Promotes detoxification and waste elimination

Vegan

Formula

Activated purified carbon

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Precautions

Contains: Treenuts (coconut shells)

Caution: Activated Charcoal may absorb medications ( such as heart drugs or birth control) if taken at the same time,consult a physician if you are taking drugs as this dietary supplement may interfere with their effectiveness. Allow at least one hour after or two hours before taking any medication. May cause darkening of the stool.

Warning: Keep out of reach of children.

Do not use if safety seal is damaged or missing.

Do not use if your are pregnant or nursing. If you are taking any medication, planning any medical procedure or have a medical condition, consult your healthcare practitioner before use.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

As a dietary supplement, take two (2) capsules after eating or as needed. Note: Do not exceed 16 capsules per day.

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

See for yourself

Charcoal 560 mg by Nature's Answer label

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

Charcoal 560 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 Charcoal 560 mg by Nature's Answer

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 container45 Amounts shown are per serving.

Activated Charcoal

Interacts with
2,027 drugs
560 mg 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...

Activated Charcoal monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Cellulose, Rice Flour, Calcium Silicate. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Charcoal 560 mg by Nature's Answer Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Charcoal 560 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 Charcoal 560 mg interact with 2,027 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Charcoal 560 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 Charcoal 560 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 Charcoal 560 mg, from the product label.

Nature's Answer

See all Nature's Answer products
Name
Nature's Answer
Street Address
85 Commerce Drive
City
Hauppauge
State
NY
ZipCode
11788
Phone Number
(800) 439-2324
Web Address
www.naturesanswer.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Charcoal 560 mg by Nature's Answer: Common Questions

Does Charcoal 560 mg by Nature's Answer interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Charcoal 560 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?
Charcoal 560 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 stop my other medications from working?
It can reduce how well many oral medications work by binding to them and lowering how much your body absorbs. This is a major concern. You need to talk with your doctor or pharmacist about the specific medications you take—timing and spacing doses apart may help, but that's a decision they need to make with you.
Can I use this if I take birth control?
Activated charcoal may reduce how well oral contraceptives work and increase the risk of contraceptive failure. This is a moderate interaction, so talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether this product is right for you if you use birth control.
What are the most common side effects?
The most common side effects are gastrointestinal—constipation is the most frequent complaint, along with black stools, abdominal pain, bloating, and gas. These are usually temporary. Rarely, it can cause a more serious blockage in your digestive tract.
Is activated charcoal safe to use in pregnancy?
The data rates it as possibly safe, but it's not well studied for routine use during pregnancy. There isn't enough information to know either way, so talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's right for you if you're pregnant.
What is activated charcoal actually used for?
It's rated as possibly effective for poisoning. For other uses like high cholesterol, wound healing, indigestion, hangovers, and high blood phosphate levels, the evidence isn't established in the data we hold.

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

Not sure if Charcoal 560 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.

Charcoal 560 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Charcoal 560 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

Charcoal 560 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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