charcoal

Generic Name: charcoal
Other Brand Names: Actidose-Aqua, Charcoaid, Charcoal Plus DS, Charcocaps, Insta-Char, Liqui-Char

What is charcoal?

Charcoal is used to relieve painful pressure caused by excess gas in the stomach and intestines, diarrhea, and 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.

Uses Side Effects Precautions Interactions Overdose
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking charcoal?

Do not take charcoal if diarrhea lasts for longer than 2 days or if it is accompanied by a fever. See your doctor.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you

  • have liver or kidney disease,

  • have any type of serious illness,

  • are pregnant, or

  • are breast-feeding.

You may not be able to take charcoal, or you may require special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Do not used charcoal to treat a child younger than 3 years of age.

How should I take charcoal?

Take charcoal exactly as directed in the package instructions or as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.

Do not crush, break, or chew the capsules. Swallow them whole.

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

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

Call your doctor if diarrhea lasts for longer than 2 days or if it is accompanied by a fever.

Store charcoal at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose of charcoal?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take your next regularly scheduled 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?

No side effects are known to be associated with the use of charcoal.

Talk to your doctor if you experience any unusual or bothersome side effects.

What is the most important information I should know about 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 reduces their effectiveness, 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 reduces their effectiveness, which could become dangerous.

What other drugs will affect 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 reduces their effectiveness, which could become dangerous.

What happens if I have an overdose of charcoal?

An overdose with this medication is unlikely to occur. If you do suspect that an overdose of charcoal has occurred, call an emergency room or a poison control center for advice.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 2/11/2008