What is charcoal?
Charcoal is used to treat stomach pain caused by excess gas, diarrhea, or indigestion.
Charcoal also is used to relieve itching related to kidney dialysis treatment and to treat poisoning
or drug overdose.
Charcoal may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking charcoal?
You should not use this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to charcoal.
If possible, before you receive charcoal, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if
you have:
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or
special tests to safely take this medication.
It is not known whether charcoal is harmful to an unborn baby. Before you take charcoal,
tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether charcoal passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby.
Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
In a poisoning or overdose situation, it may not be possible to tell your caregivers that you are
pregnant or breast-feeding before you are treated with charcoal. However, make sure any doctor
caring for your pregnancy or your baby knows that you have received the medication.
Do not give this medication to a child younger than 1 year 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.
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 of charcoal?
Since charcoal is often taken only when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you
are taking the medication regularly, 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.
Where can I get more information about charcoal?
Your pharmacist has information about charcoal written for health professionals that you may read.
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.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical
advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about charcoal?
You should not use 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.
In a poisoning or overdose situation, it may not be possible before you are treated to tell your
caregivers about any health conditions you have or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. However,
make sure any doctor caring for you afterward knows that you have received this medication.
If you are taking charcoal at home to treat diarrhea, stop taking it 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 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 other drugs will affect charcoal?
There may be other drugs that can interact with charcoal. Tell your doctor about all your
prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs
prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of charcoal?