Activated carbon - description, composition, indications for use, side effects

Pharmacological action of activated carbon

Activated carbon is an adsorbent, detoxifying, antidiarrheal drug with high surface activity, due to which substances that reduce surface energy are bound without changing their chemical nature.

Coal sorbs a number of compounds:

• Alkaloids;
• Barbiturates;
• Gases;
• Glycosides;
• Salicylates;
• Salts of heavy metals;
• Toxins.

Under the influence of Activated Carbon, their absorption in the gastrointestinal tract is reduced and elimination from the body with feces is simplified.

As a sorbent, carbon is active during hemoperfusion. Weak adsorption towards acids and alkalis, including iron salts, cyanides, malathion, methanol, ethylene glycol. Does not irritate mucous membranes, and when applied topically, activated carbon accelerates the healing of ulcers.

To achieve maximum effect, it is recommended to take the tablets within the first hours or immediately after poisoning.

When treating intoxications, excess carbon is created in the stomach (before gastric lavage), as well as in the intestines (after gastric lavage).

High doses are required if there are food masses in the gastrointestinal tract: they are sorbed by carbon, reducing its activity. A low concentration of the drug leads to desorption and absorption of the bound substance. Repeated gastric lavage and administration of Activated Carbon, according to doctors, prevents the resorption of the released substance.

In cases where poisoning is caused by substances that take part in the enterohepatic circulation (cardiac glycosides, indomethacin, morphine or other opiates), the tablets should be taken for several days.

The adsorbent is particularly effective during hemoperfusion after acute poisoning with theophylline, glutethimide or barbiturates.

Dosage regimen

In order to achieve a positive effect, activated carbon must be taken in strict accordance with the prescribed dosage.

It is important to remember that the drug should be stored exclusively in its packaging. After all, it can absorb any active substances that can harm the body.

Also, do not be afraid of black stools, which are observed after taking activated charcoal. The recipe in Latin is not known to everyone.

Indications for use of Activated carbon

Activated carbon is indicated for the following diseases:

• Dyspepsia;
• Flatulence and other processes of rotting and fermentation in the intestines;
• Increased acidity and hypersecretion of gastric juice;
• Diarrhea;
• Acute poisoning, including glycosides, alkaloids, salts of heavy metals;
• Food poisoning;
• Dysentery;
• Salmonellosis;
• Burn disease in the stage of toxemia and septicotoxemia;
• Chronic renal failure;
• Chronic and acute viral hepatitis;
• Liver cirrhosis;
• Allergic reactions;
• Bronchial asthma;
• Atopic dermatitis.

Tablets are also prescribed to reduce gas formation in the intestines in preparation for ultrasound and x-ray examinations.

It is allowed to use Activated carbon for weight loss as an adjuvant after consulting a doctor and choosing an adequate diet.

Description of the drug

Used in medicine as an antidote. It is able to adsorb harmful substances from the gastrointestinal tract before they are absorbed in the intestines. The Latin recipe for activated carbon is quite simple. More on this later.

When charcoal enters the human intestine, it works in the following ways:

1. Detoxifying agent. The drug can be used for poisoning of any nature, for example, food poisoning, poisoning with metal salts, alcohol, and chemicals. After the adsorption process, harmful substances are eliminated naturally.
2. Enterosorbent. Activated carbon is capable of absorbing toxins found in the gastrointestinal tract that come from the external environment, for example, drugs in large doses.
3. Antidiarrhea remedy. In addition, the drug has an enveloping effect and forms aggregates that contain viruses and microbes. Capable of having a bactericidal effect and preventing the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria.

Activated carbon can do all this. The recipe in Latin will be given below.

How to use Activated Carbon

Tablets or an aqueous suspension of activated carbon, according to the instructions, are taken orally 1 hour before meals and taking other medications. To obtain a suspension, the required amount of the drug is mixed in 0.5 cups of water.

The average daily dose for adults is 1-2 g, and the maximum is 8 g. The dose for children is calculated based on body weight - 0.05 g/kg 3 times a day, but not more than 0.2 mg/kg at a time .

For acute diseases, the course of treatment lasts 3-5 days, and for allergic or chronic diseases - up to 2 weeks. After 14 days, therapy can be repeated according to the doctor’s recommendations.

For dyspepsia or flatulence, activated carbon is taken orally 1-2 g 3-4 times a day for 3-7 days.

The suspension is used for gastric lavage in acute poisoning. Then drink the solution in 20-30 g doses.

With increased secretion of gastric juice, adults need 10 g 3 times a day between meals, children under 7 years old - 5 g, and children 7-14 years old - 7 g per meal. The course of treatment is 1-2 weeks.

Features of application

The use of activated carbon is considered quite safe. But in some cases it can cause disorders such as:

• diarrhea or constipation;
• impaired absorption of nutrients from food;
• dyspepsia.

A prescription for activated carbon is not prescribed in case of hypersensitivity to the drug, as well as in cases of violations:

• intestinal atony;
• ulcers and bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract;
• when simultaneously prescribing certain types of drugs, for example, methionine.

A whole group of diseases become indications for prescribing and issuing a prescription:

• allergies;
• gastrointestinal diseases;
• hepatitis, other liver damage;
• kidney pathology;
• impaired metabolic processes;
• infections in the intestines;
• intoxicating effects of chemotherapy, etc.

After purchasing, activated carbon tablets (Tabulettae Carbonis activati) should be stored only in the packaging, since when printed, it can absorb various substances. Improper storage of this drug may cause serious harm in the future.

In Latin, activated carbon is prescribed by a doctor for one of the existing indications. But even without a prescription, this drug can be bought at any pharmacy.

Side effects of the substance Activated carbon

Activated carbon is indicated for the following diseases:

• Dyspepsia;
• Flatulence and other processes of rotting and fermentation in the intestines;
• Increased acidity and hypersecretion of gastric juice;
• Diarrhea;
• Acute poisoning, including glycosides, alkaloids, salts of heavy metals;
• Food poisoning;
• Dysentery;
• Salmonellosis;
• Burn disease in the stage of toxemia and septicotoxemia;
• Chronic renal failure;
• Chronic and acute viral hepatitis;
• Liver cirrhosis;
• Allergic reactions;
• Bronchial asthma;
• Atopic dermatitis.

Tablets are also prescribed to reduce gas formation in the intestines in preparation for ultrasound and x-ray examinations.

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It is allowed to use Activated carbon for weight loss as an adjuvant after consulting a doctor and choosing an adequate diet.

Contraindications to the use of Activated Carbon are:

• High individual sensitivity;
• Peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum;
• Nonspecific ulcerative colitis;
• Bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract;
• Intestinal atony;
• Simultaneous intake of antitoxic substances, the effect of which begins after absorption.

Tablets or an aqueous suspension of activated carbon, according to the instructions, are taken orally 1 hour before meals and taking other medications. To obtain a suspension, the required amount of the drug is mixed in 0.5 cups of water.

The average daily dose for adults is 1-2 g, and the maximum is 8 g. The dose for children is calculated based on body weight - 0.05 g/kg 3 times a day, but not more than 0.2 mg/kg at a time .

For acute diseases, the course of treatment lasts 3-5 days, and for allergic or chronic diseases - up to 2 weeks. After 14 days, therapy can be repeated according to the doctor’s recommendations.

For dyspepsia or flatulence, activated carbon is taken orally 1-2 g 3-4 times a day for 3-7 days.

The suspension is used for gastric lavage in acute poisoning. Then drink the solution in 20-30 g doses.

With increased secretion of gastric juice, adults need 10 g 3 times a day between meals, children under 7 years old - 5 g, and children 7-14 years old - 7 g per meal. The course of treatment is 1-2 weeks.

Carbo activatus (

Carbonis activati)

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Black powder, odorless and tasteless. Practically insoluble in common solvents.

Dyspepsia, diseases accompanied by processes of putrefaction and fermentation in the intestines (including flatulence), increased acidity and hypersecretion of gastric juice, diarrhea, acute poisoning (including alkaloids, glycosides, salts of heavy metals), diseases with toxic syndrome — food toxic infections, dysentery, salmonellosis, burn disease in the stage of toxemia and septicotoxemia, hyperazotemia (chronic renal failure), hyperbilirubinemia (chronic and acute viral hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver), allergic diseases, bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis, preparation for x-ray and ultrasound examinations (to reduce gas formation in the intestines).

Hypersensitivity, ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract (including exacerbation of gastric and duodenal ulcers, ulcerative colitis), bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract, intestinal atony, simultaneous administration of antitoxic substances, the effect of which develops after absorption (methionine, etc.).

Dyspepsia, constipation or diarrhea, black stools; with long-term use (more than 14 days), the absorption of calcium, fats, proteins, vitamins, hormones, and nutrients may be impaired; with hemoperfusion through activated carbon, embolism, hemorrhage, hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, hypothermia, and a decrease in blood pressure may develop.

Taking the drug for preventive and therapeutic purposes is very common. Due to its low cost, positive reviews and fast action, the drug is the main means that can adsorb harmful substances in the body. Activated charcoal is used for food poisoning, alcohol and drug intoxication.

The main function of Activated charcoal is to bind and remove substances that are potentially harmful to the body (poisons, toxins, heavy metal salts, metabolites of potent drugs). The drug acts only in the gastrointestinal tract, without penetrating the intestinal wall, so it does not cause any toxic effects on the liver, kidneys, central and peripheral nervous system.

Release form

Activated carbon is produced in two forms:

• black tablets, uncoated, packed in paper or plastic blister packs of 10 pieces;
• fine powder, packaged in portioned paper bags of 2 grams.

The medication acts locally in the gastrointestinal tract and is not absorbed into the bloodstream when taken orally. The drug does not form metabolites and is excreted from the body in feces without changing the structure. The transit time through the gastrointestinal tract is about 24-26 hours. The drug has an adsorbent effect (binds gases, metabolites), reduces the absorption of liquids, potassium and magnesium, and vitamins in the small intestine. Promotes the removal of toxins in case of any poisoning, both exogenous and endogenous.

The medication is taken for flatulence, dyspepsia, excessive secretion of mucus and gastric juice, to stop the processes of fermentation and rotting of food masses in the gastrointestinal tract. Activated carbon - instructions for use indicate that the drug is effective for:

• poisoning with glycosides;
• barbiturate poisoning;
• alkaloid poisoning;
• acute poisoning with heavy metals;
• treatment of intoxication with drugs;
• to reduce gas formation during flatulence;
• any food poisoning;
• treatment of intoxication with poisons;
• gastrointestinal diseases of non-infectious nature;
• stomach ulcers.

The drug Activated charcoal is used for gastric lavage in cases of alcohol poisoning and food intoxication. Woody Activated charcoal quickly cleanses the body, reduces the absorption of harmful substances into the blood. This enterosorbent agent is able to remove toxins in a short time and prevent the negative effects of toxic substances on the central nervous system.

Before using the medication, you should consult with a specialist to determine whether there are any contraindications to drug therapy with activated carbon. Main contraindications for use:

• hypersensitivity to the drug;
• allergic diseases;
• ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract (including exacerbation of gastric and duodenal ulcers, nonspecific ulcerative colitis);
• bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract;
• dysbacteriosis;
• atony of the small intestine;
• simultaneous administration of antitoxic substances, the effect of which develops after absorption from the gastrointestinal tract.

Harm of activated carbon to the body when losing weight

Many people use the product for weight loss, and some who lose weight report positive results. What do experts say about this? It is not recommended to lose weight on this drug, and for the following reasons:

1. Coal causes a slowdown in peristalsis, which negatively affects the gastrointestinal tract. This can cause constipation, which subsequently leads to the development of hemorrhoids.
2. The drug is a sorbent, but it does not get rid of fat; this drug cleanses the body, helping to improve metabolism and fat metabolism.
3. The product absorbs not only harmful substances, but also microelements, enzymes, and amino acids.
4. Long-term use leads to changes in the skin, it becomes dull, hair falls out, and nails begin to break.
5. It should be noted that the drug cannot be taken with other medications, it reduces their effect.

It is possible to lose weight with the help of activated carbon, but within the permissible periods of use and not often. Because the negative aspects of such weight loss have dangerous consequences.

Powder as a dosage form

The powder has the property of flowability.

Powder (in Latin Pulvis) is a solid dosage form, which may contain one or more drugs. A distinctive feature of the powder from other solid dosage forms is its flowability. Powder is a crushed medicine, and the finer it is, the faster and more effective its action will be.

As mentioned above, powders can be:

• Simple ones, which consist of one drug.
• Complex. which are a mixture of several substances.
• Separated - the maximum powder weight can be 1 gram, and the minimum 0.15 grams. They are most often used for oral administration.
• Undivided - can have a minimum weight of 5 grams, and a maximum weight of up to 100 grams. Most often used as a powder.

According to the degree of grinding, the following types of powder are distinguished:

• smallest - in Latin Pulvis subtilissimus. Most often it is intended for application to a wound or mucous membrane, for inhalation. Powders used externally are called powders - in Latin Aspersiones.
• small - in Latin Pulvis subtilis. Mainly intended for oral administration.
• large - in Latin Pulvis grossus. More often used for the manufacture of other dosage forms: solutions, mixtures, ointments.

Before oral use, the powder is mixed with a certain amount of liquid (water is recommended).

Many antibiotics are available in powder form (called dry matter) and are dissolved only before use. Please remember that the instructions for use must be strictly followed to ensure maximum effectiveness and sterility.

Pharmacology

It is characterized by high surface activity, which determines the ability to bind substances that reduce surface energy (without changing their chemical nature). Sorbs gases, toxins, alkaloids, glycosides, heavy metal salts, salicylates, barbiturates and other compounds, reduces their absorption in the gastrointestinal tract and promotes excretion from the body with feces.

Active as a sorbent during hemoperfusion. Weakly adsorbs acids and alkalis (including iron salts, cyanides, malathion, methanol, ethylene glycol). Does not irritate mucous membranes. When applied topically in a patch, it increases the rate of healing of ulcers. To develop the maximum effect, it is recommended to administer immediately after poisoning or within the first hours.

When treating intoxications, it is necessary to create an excess of carbon in the stomach (before gastric lavage) and in the intestines (after gastric lavage). The presence of food masses in the gastrointestinal tract requires administration in high doses, because the contents of the gastrointestinal tract are sorbed by carbon and its activity decreases. Reducing the concentration of carbon in the medium promotes desorption of the bound substance and its absorption (to prevent resorption of the released substance, repeated gastric lavage and administration of carbon are recommended).

If poisoning is caused by substances involved in the enterohepatic circulation (cardiac glycosides, indomethacin, morphine and other opiates), it is necessary to use charcoal for several days. It is especially effective as a sorbent for hemoperfusion in cases of acute poisoning with barbiturates, glutethimide, and theophylline.

How to take activated charcoal

For food poisoning, it is prescribed orally: for adults, one tablet per 10 kg of body weight, for children over 7 years old, half a tablet per 10 kg of body, for newborns and young children - 1/3 of the tablet. It should be taken after meals; it is recommended to wash down the charcoal with clean drinking water. The medication is taken both in courses (for example, to treat allergies) and once (to reduce the concentration of toxins, poisons).

The drug in tablet form begins to act 10-60 minutes after administration. The speed of onset of action depends on the acidity of gastric juice, the amount of food taken, the age of the person, and his basic diet. According to clinical studies, the powder form promotes a faster effect of the drug on poisons and metabolites in the intestines.

special instructions

It is recommended to store in a dry place, away from substances that release gases or vapors into the atmosphere. Storage in air (especially in a humid environment) reduces sorption capacity.

Take with caution with other medications - Activated charcoal adsorbs them and significantly reduces the effect on tissues, organs, and systems. High concentrations of sorbent provoke diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. It is not recommended to cleanse the body to lose weight - this can provoke erosion of the gastrointestinal mucosa.

During pregnancy

The action of activated carbon occurs locally; the suspension of active substances is not absorbed into the bloodstream, so the sorbent does not act directly on the fetus. However, it should be remembered that an excess of the substance helps to reduce the absorption of vitamins and minerals, this can lead to hypovitaminosis and hypocalcemia, which pose a danger to the fetus in the early stages of pregnancy. An overdose of coal is also dangerous because it can cause uncontrollable vomiting and dehydration.