Activated carbon

Activated carbon is an adsorbent drug that reduces the absorption from the gastrointestinal tract of toxic and medicinal substances, heavy metals, glycosides and alkaloids, thereby contributing to their elimination from the body.

Release form and composition

The medicine is produced in the form of tablets containing 250 or 500 mg of activated carbon, as well as in the form of capsules, which contain 110, 220 or 250 mg of the active substance of the same name.

Implemented drug for 10 pcs. packaged.

Indications for use of activated carbon

The instructions for activated carbon indicate that this drug is intended for the treatment of the following diseases and conditions, including as part of complex therapy:

• Food toxicoinfection;
• Dyspepsia;
• Flatulence;
• Diarrhea;
• Chemical poisoning, including organophosphate and organochlorine;
• Hypersecretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach;
• Salmonellosis;
• Intoxication due to dysentery;
• Allergic diseases;
• Poisoning drugs, including salts of heavy metals or alkaloids, as well as psychoactive substances;
• Metabolic disorders;
• Abstinence alcohol syndrome.

In order to reduce gas formation in the intestines, activated carbon is prescribed to patients during the period of preparation for endoscopic or X-ray examination.

Contraindications

According to the instructions, activated carbon should not be taken:

• In the presence of hypersensitivity to the active substance;
• Patients with ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract (including those with a gastric or duodenal ulcer);
• With bleeding from the digestive tract;
• Simultaneously with anti-toxic drugs that begin to act after absorption (for example, with methionine).

Information about the negative effects of the drug when it is used during pregnancy during lactation is not available.

Due to the lack of data on the efficacy and safety of the use of the drug in pediatrics, it is not prescribed to children under 3 years of age.

Method of administration and dosage of activated carbon

In dyspeptic disorders and flatulence Activated carbon is taken 1-3 tablets three or four times a day an hour before or after meals.

With increased acidity, the dose of the drug is 1-2 g, divided into 3-4 doses. To achieve a quick effect, tablets can be crushed, dissolved in water (1/2 cup) and drunk as an aqueous suspension.

In case of poisoning, the doctor should prescribe a specific dosage depending on the type of intoxication, the severity of its course and the general condition of the patient. As a rule, it is 20-30 g per reception in the form of an aqueous suspension, only coal is dissolved in more water — 1-2 stacks. In case of acute poisoning, treatment begins with gastric lavage with such a suspension, and then transferred to the tablet form of the drug. Its daily dose is determined at the rate of 0.5-1 g for each kilogram of the patient's weight and divided into 3-4 doses.

The duration of treatment, as a rule, is 3-5 days for acute diseases and 10-15 days for chronic diseases caused by endogenous intoxication.

Side Effects of Activated Carbon

Numerous reviews of patients undergoing treatment with activated carbon indicate that this drug is well tolerated in the vast majority of cases and does not have any side effects provided that the dosages recommended by the physician are observed.

However, you should be aware that in rare cases, complaints about negative reactions from the body that have developed while taking activated carbon still come. According to reviews, they most often manifest constipation or diarrhea, which cease after discontinuation of the drug or the appointment of symptomatic treatment.

With prolonged use of the drug may impair the absorption of nutrients from the gastrointestinal tract, as well as the development of hypovitaminosis. Such conditions require drug correction.

A significant excess of the maximum allowable single dose leads to the development of side effects such as nausea and vomiting.

In any case, if you experience any unpleasant symptoms, you should consult a doctor.

special instructions

Since coal is an absorbent, it is important to keep it separate from substances that can release vapors or gases into the atmosphere. For the same reason, while used with other drugs, it reduces their absorption from the gastrointestinal tract, thereby significantly reducing their effectiveness. Therefore, between their techniques must be observed at least a 1.5-hour interval.

It should be noted that during storage of the drug in the air, especially wet, its sorption capacity is reduced.

All patients who have been prescribed activated carbon should be aware that after taking it, the stool is painted black. This is considered normal and is not a reason to discontinue the drug.

Analogs of Activated Carbon

According to belonging to one pharmacological group, the mechanism of action and, therefore, the effect exerted on the human body, analogues of activated carbon are the following drugs:

• Tablets / Capsules: MC Activated Carbon, UBF Activated Carbon, Carbopect, Sorbex, Carbosorb, Activated Carbon Extrasabr;
• Powder / granules for the preparation of suspensions that must be taken orally: Carbactin, Microsorb-P, Karbolong, SKN activated carbon.

Terms and conditions of storage

Activated carbon - an adsorbent, for the purchase of which the prescription of the attending physician is not needed. On condition that the storage conditions recommended by the manufacturer are observed, it must be dry, cool (where the air temperature does not exceed 30 ºС) and protected from direct sunlight, the shelf life is 2 years.