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

Vegan Charcoal 250 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by VegLife

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

Vegan Charcoal 250 mg is a dietary supplement by VegLife 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 Vegan Charcoal 250 mg by VegLife

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.

VegLife Vegan Charcoal contains one active ingredient: activated charcoal at 250 mg per capsule. The capsule itself is made from vegetable cellulose, a plant-based 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

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?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.
  • 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).

Activated charcoal is possibly effective for poisoning. For other uses listed — including high blood sugar and cholesterol, digestive upset, hangovers, and wound healing — the evidence we hold is insufficient to establish whether it works.

Talk with your pharmacist about whether this product is right for what you're hoping to use it for.

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 side effect — usually mild and temporary. Black stools, bloating, abdominal pain, and gas can also happen.

Rarely, it may cause gastrointestinal obstruction. The safety data for routine use or pregnancy is limited; there isn't enough information to know whether it's safe in pregnancy, so talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using it if you're 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.

Check any oral medications with your pharmacist before taking this product. Major concern: oral drugs in general may be less effective because charcoal reduces their absorption.

Also double-check oral contraceptives and any alcohol use, both Moderate-level interactions.

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 most relevant if you're dealing with poisoning or overdose under medical supervision. If you take any medications — especially birth control, regular daily prescriptions, or over-the-counter drugs — you'll need to check them against this product first, because charcoal can interfere with absorption.

Chat with your pharmacist before you start.

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 24, 2015.

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 Vegan Charcoal 250 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand VegLife
Barcode (UPC) 076280253955
Net contents 60 Vegan Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jul 24, 2015
DSLD ID 47647
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other
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 Vegan Charcoal 250 mg by VegLife, 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 Vegan Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Vegan Capsule(s)
UPC/BARCODE
076280253955
IngredientAmount% DV
Activated Charcoal250 mg--

Other ingredients: Vegetable Cellulose 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.
General Statements

Activated food-grade

Keep your licensed health care practitioner informed when using this product. A darkening of the stool may result from this product.

Discussion: This product is derived from high-quality food grade sustainable charcoal sourced from coconut shells.

VegLife guarantees no ingredients are added other than those listed on this label.

Formulation

100% Vegan

Veglife is committed to providing a complete line of premium quality supplements free of animal by-products.

Formula

From Coconut shells

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Seals/Symbols

V Certified Vegan

Precautions

Warning: Do not use if safety seal is broken or missing.

Keep out of reach of children.

This product is highly absorbent and may reduce the effectiveness of some medications or nutritional supplements.

California only warning: This product contains a substance known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: Use only as directed. Take one vegan capsule daily after or between meals as needed.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

General

7878484 0115

See for yourself

Vegan Charcoal 250 mg by VegLife label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Vegan Charcoal 250 mg by VegLife

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

Serving size1 Vegan Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Amounts shown are per serving.

Activated Charcoal

Interacts with
2,027 drugs
250 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: Vegetable Cellulose Capsule. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Vegan Charcoal 250 mg by VegLife Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Vegan Charcoal 250 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 Vegan Charcoal 250 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 Vegan Charcoal 250 mg, from the product label.

VegLife

See all VegLife products
Name
Nutraceutical Corp.
Web Address
www.nutrafamily.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Vegan Charcoal 250 mg by VegLife: Common Questions

Does Vegan Charcoal 250 mg by VegLife interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Vegan Charcoal 250 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?
Vegan Charcoal 250 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 this affect my birth control?
Possibly. Activated charcoal may reduce how well oral contraceptives are absorbed, which could lower their effectiveness and raise the risk of contraceptive failure. If you take birth control pills, check with your pharmacist before using this product and ask about timing or alternatives.
What are the most common side effects?
Constipation is the most frequent complaint, though it's usually temporary. Black stools, bloating, abdominal pain, and gas have also been reported. Rarely, it can cause gastrointestinal obstruction.
Can I use this for a hangover?
The evidence we hold is insufficient to say whether activated charcoal works for hangovers. Talk with your pharmacist about whether it's right for you.
Is it safe to use while pregnant?
There isn't enough safety data to know either way. The rating is possibly safe, but it's not well studied for routine use in pregnancy. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice before you use it.
Can I drink alcohol while taking this?
Alcohol may lower how well activated charcoal works by reducing its binding capacity. It's a Moderate-level interaction, so check with your pharmacist about whether it's okay for you.
Will this interfere with my other medications?
Very likely. Activated charcoal can reduce how much of many oral medications your body absorbs, which may make them less effective. Always check your specific medications with the tool on this page or ask your pharmacist before you start.

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

Not sure if Vegan Charcoal 250 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.

Vegan Charcoal 250 mg label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Vegan Charcoal 250 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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