Activated Charcoal Pharmacology

Activated Charcoal

About Activated Charcoal
Adsorbent, antidote ,antiflatulent,anti diarrheal.
Mechanism of Action of Activated Charcoal
Poisoning- Adsorption (17 times its own volume in fluids) of the unwanted substance on to the surface of it.
Hypercholesterolemic effect- It is thought that the cholesterol-lowering effect of activated charcoal is caused by its interference with the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids.
Pharmacokinets of Activated Charcoal
Excretion- Excreted through feces
Onset of Action for Activated Charcoal
N/A
Duration of Action for Activated Charcoal
N/A
Half Life of Activated Charcoal
N/A
Side Effects of Activated Charcoal
1. Black stools.
2. Nausea.
3. Vomiting.
4. Blackening of the teeth and mouth.
5. Abdominal discomfort.
6. Diarrhea.
7. Constipation.
Contra-indications of Activated Charcoal
1. Hypersensitivity to the charcoal
2. Diarrhea lasts for longer than 2 days or if it is accompanied by a fever
3. Liver disease
4. Kidney disease
5. Malnutrition
6. Medications
Special Precautions while taking Activated Charcoal
1.Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.
2.Do not crush, break, or chew the capsules. Swallow them whole.
3.Charcoal is usually taken after meals or at the first sign of discomfort.
4.Do not take more than 4.16 grams of charcoal in a day (16 capsules of 260 mg each).
Pregnancy Related Information
Contraindicated
Old Age Related Information
Use with caution
Breast Feeding Related Information
Contraindicated
Children Related Information
Use with caution
Younger than 3 years of age - Contraindicated
Indications for Activated Charcoal
1. Poisonings (except carbonate, Caustic substances, Cyanide and DDT).
2. Overdoses following oral ingestion of the drug.
3. Flatulence
4.Bowel preparations for diagnostic procedures

Interactions for Activated Charcoal
N/A
Typical Dosage for Activated Charcoal
Dyspepsia: 600mg - 5g as single dose
Poisoning:
Adult: 30 - 100g in 250ml water
Children: Above 1 year: 25 to 50 grams mixed with water
Children up to 1 year: 10 to 25 grams mixed with water
Schedule of Activated Charcoal
N/A
Storage Requirements for Activated Charcoal
Store at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, direct light, and your children.
Effects of Missed Dosage of Activated Charcoal
N/A
Effects of Overdose of Activated Charcoal
N/A

Home Delivery for Activated Charcoal in Your City

Medicine India is just a publishing medium for medicine related information and does not provide services or sales of medicines including activated charcoal.

However, we do publish a comprehensive directory of Pharmacies, Chemists and Druggists in cities all over India. You can use this directory to find the medicine stores in your city (or area) that provide home delivery services for activated charcoal and other medicines and health products. Home delivery services for activated charcoal may be free or they may cost you depending on the pharmacy and the minimum order requirements. It would be best to get this clarified while placing the order.

Please be aware that you should take activated charcoal only if a doctor has recommended or prescribed it. Some or all pharmacies who provide a home delivery service for medicines might insist on a prescription for activated charcoal before they complete the sale. You can get this information while placing the order for activated charcoal with the pharmacy.

Activated Charcoal is a generic medicine name and there are several brands available for it. Some of the brands for activated charcoal might be better known than activated charcoal itself. If the pharmacy that's willing to deliver medicines to your home doesn't have activated charcoal in stock, you can ask for one of the branded alternatives for activated charcoal.