charcoal Health Article

Generic name(s):

charcoal

Brand name(s):

Actidose-Aqua, Activated Charcoal, Charcoal Plus DS, EZChar, Insta-Char, Liqui-Char, Optimum Charcoal

What is the most important information I should know about charcoal?

Do not take this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to charcoal.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have liver or kidney disease, or any type of serious illness.

Stop taking charcoal and call your doctor if your diarrhea lasts longer than 2 days or you also have a fever.

Do not take charcoal with any other medicine. Take your dose of charcoal at least 2 hours before or 1 hour after a dose of any other medicine. Charcoal binds to other drugs and can make them less effective, which could become dangerous.

What is charcoal?

Charcoal is used to treat stomach pain caused by excess gas, diarrhea, or indigestion.

Charcoal also is used to relieve itching associated with kidney dialysis treatment and to treat overdoses of other medicines.

Charcoal may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking charcoal?

Do not take this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to charcoal.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• liver disease;

• kidney disease; or

• any type of serious illness.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Charcoal may pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give this medication to a child younger than 3 years old without the advice of a doctor.

How should I take charcoal?

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take this medicine with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. Do not crush, break, or chew a charcoal tablet or capsule. Swallow the pill whole.

Charcoal is usually taken after meals or at the first sign of stomach discomfort.

Do not take more than 4.16 grams of charcoal in a day (16 capsules of 260 mg each).

Stop taking charcoal and call your doctor if your diarrhea lasts longer than 2 days or you also have a fever.

Store charcoal at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

An overdose of charcoal is not likely to cause life-threatening symptoms.

What should I avoid while taking charcoal?

Do not take charcoal with any other medicine. Take your dose of charcoal at least 2 hours before or 1 hour after a dose of any other medicine. Charcoal binds to other drugs and can make them less effective, which could become dangerous.

What are the possible side effects of charcoal?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Other side effects may occur. Tell your doctor about unusual or bothersome side effect.