Carboactive activated carbon instructions. How to take activated carbon and what it helps with. Medicinal properties and unusual uses of activated carbon. Applications of activated carbon

Since ancient times, people have used various sorbents in treatment, which have the ability to absorb, hold on their surface, toxic substances, preventing them from penetrating the cells of the body.

Currently, such substances are also very popular. One of the most famous effective sorbents is activated carbon. Many people, when going on a trip or going to the country, take this drug with them.

It is safe to say that coal is present in almost all universal first aid kits. The spectrum of its action is extremely wide, so many are ready to take the drug at every opportunity.

But, like any other drug, charcoal tablets require responsible use. In addition to its undoubted benefits, it has its contraindications. Let's get to know our old assistant again and talk about the topic: “ Activated carbon. Instructions for use”, and also find out how this sorbent works and is it harmful to health?

Composition of activated carbon

The familiar black tablets are nothing more than finely porous amorphous carbon activated by special treatment, which has the properties of adsorption and catalytic action characteristic of all porous surfaces. The porosity of activated carbon is from 15 to 97.5% by volume.

In the manufacture of the drug, stone, wood and environmentally friendly materials are used. clean coals, peat. They are heated in special containers, without access to air, and then additionally processed in a special way.

Medicinal properties activated carbon

Due to the increased surface porosity, coal has increased absorbency. This property of the drug helps to effectively eliminate signs of intoxication in the body. It is taken most often in cases of food poisoning. Thanks to its enterosorbing and detoxifying properties, the drug successfully fights them.

Coal is also rightfully considered an antidote, as it is capable of adsorbing poisons and toxins from the gastrointestinal tract as an antidote until they are absorbed.

Coal is effective at alcohol poisoning, drug overdose, excess heavy metals, poisoning by plant toxins, chemical origin, including phenol and hydrocyanic acid.

Good to take carbon tablets in the treatment of severe viral infections, infectious diseases: dysentery, cholera, typhoid fever.

The instructions for using activated carbon indicate positive results in treatment chronic gastritis, colitis, acute, prolonged diarrhea.

How to use activated carbon?

The instructions for using activated carbon indicate that in case of poisoning or intoxication, 3-4 g of the drug should be taken at one time (1 tablet - 0.5 g or 0.25 g). This is approximately 1 tablet per 10 kg of weight. Just don’t swallow charcoal like regular tablets. To increase its absorbent surface, create water solution. To do this, grind the tablets to a powder, pour a small amount cool water, drink the resulting mixture. If you don’t have time to prepare the solution, you can simply chew the tablets with water.

In case of poisoning, the drug is used to lavage the stomach. To do this, dilute 1 tbsp. l. powder in 1 liter. boiled water. After washing, you should drink an aqueous solution of powder from tablets. Depending on the severity of the condition, you need to dilute it in 0.5 tbsp. water from 20 to 30 g of the drug.

At increased gas formation, dyspepsia, colitis, diarrhea, food poisoning You should take crushed tablets of 1-3 g between meals with clean water.

Contraindications for taking activated carbon

The instructions for using activated carbon say that the drug should not be taken during exacerbation of gastric ulcer, 12 duodenum, it is dangerous to take pills if you suspect intestinal or stomach bleeding.

It should be remembered that it absorbs not only harmful, but also useful material. Therefore, it should be taken with extreme caution when simultaneous treatment antibiotics, when taking vitamins, hormonal drugs.

Women taking oral medications need to be very careful. contraception together with coal tablets. This may reduce the effectiveness of contraceptives.

If it is necessary to combine drugs, you should leave an interval of several hours between taking charcoal tablets and taking medications.

Constant, uncontrolled use of the drug can provoke hypovitaminosis and interfere with absorption from the gastrointestinal tract nutrients, provoke chronic constipation.

Therefore, carefully read the instructions for using activated carbon and use it only as a means emergency care. Do not take the drug long time. In everything you need to know when to stop.

Russian name

Latin name of the substance: Activated carbon

Pharmacological group of the substance Activated carbon

Nosological classification (ICD-10)

CAS code

Characteristics of the substance Activated carbon

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

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. At local application in the patch 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 bound substance and its absorption (to prevent resorption of the released substance, repeated gastric lavage and charcoal administration 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.

Application of the substance Activated carbon

Dyspepsia, diseases accompanied by processes of putrefaction and fermentation in the intestines (including flatulence), increased acidity and hypersecretion gastric juice, diarrhea, acute poisoning (including alkaloids, glycosides, salts of heavy metals), diseases with toxic syndrome— food poisoning, 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).

Contraindications

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

Side effects of the substance Activated carbon

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

Interaction

Activated carbon reduces absorption and effectiveness medicines taken orally at the same time as it; reduces the activity of intragastric active substances (for example, ipecac).

special instructions

Interactions with other active ingredients

Trade names

Activated carbon preparation (Latin - Activated charcoal) is a medicine plant origin, charcoal that has been processed. Coal is an adsorbent for toxic compounds (plant and bacterial origin), sulfonamides. The medication partially adsorbs acids and alkalis. Activated carbon - instructions for use states that this medicine should be used for inflammation of the mucous membranes, diarrhea, stale food poisoning, in order to cleanse the body of harmful substances.

Applications of Activated Carbon

Taking the drug in preventive and medicinal purposes very common. Thanks to the low cost, positive feedback And fast action the drug is the main agent capable of adsorbing harmful substances in the body. Activated charcoal is used for food poisoning, alcohol and drug intoxication. At severe pain in the stomach, gas formation, Activated carbon is used - general instructions to the use of the drug states that this medicine helps against many types of poisoning.

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 is effective only in gastrointestinal tract without penetrating the intestinal wall, so it does not cause any toxic effect on the liver, kidneys, central and peripheral nervous system.

Composition of Activated Carbon

The composition of the drug depends, first of all, on the form of its release, as well as on the manufacturer. The content of additional components, fragrances, and flavoring additives is regulated by the company producing the medicine. The classic composition of black activated carbon tablets:

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.

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

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.

Indications for use

The medication is taken for flatulence, dyspepsia, excessive secretion 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 heavy metals;
• treatment of intoxication with drugs;
• to reduce gas formation during flatulence;
• any poisoning food products;
• 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 capable of removing toxins from short time and prevent negative impact toxic substances on the central nervous system.

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 weight, for newborns and children. younger age– 1/3 tablet. Should be taken after meals, it is recommended to wash down the charcoal with pure drinking water. The medication is taken both in courses (for example, to treat allergies) and once (to reduce the concentration of toxins, poisons).

How long does it take for activated carbon to take effect?

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 research, the powder form contributes to a faster action of the drug on poisons and metabolites in the intestines.

special instructions

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

During pregnancy

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

In childhood

Taking the sorbent for young and older children does not pose any danger. In addition, Activated charcoal is one of the few medicines approved for use in children under one year of age for symptoms of poisoning. For children under five years of age, the active sorbent should be given only in the form of activated carbon powder, since a child may choke on a tablet or capsule.

Interaction with alcohol

The use of Activated charcoal simultaneously with alcohol reduces the concentration of ethanol in the intestines, which leads to a decrease in the absorption of alcohol in the gastrointestinal tract, its metabolites and toxins into the bloodstream. The adsorbent helps to avoid severe intoxication and helps reduce the consequences alcohol intoxication, cleanses the body of poisons and ethanol metabolites.

Drug interactions

When prescribing an adsorbent with other medicines, it weakens their effect on the body and reduces their absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. Caution should be exercised when taking Activated charcoal concomitantly with medications. similar action: excessive adsorption can have an extremely negative impact on the condition of the intestinal wall and microflora.

Contraindications to the use of Activated Carbon

Before using the medication, you should consult a specialist to determine whether there are contraindications to drug therapy 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 small intestine;
• simultaneous administration of antitoxic substances, the effect of which develops after absorption from the gastrointestinal tract.

Side effects and overdose

Long-term and uncontrolled use of Activated charcoal preparations can lead to acute hypovitaminosis and impaired absorption of nutrients from the small intestine. In addition, an overdose of sorbent can cause diarrhea, constipation, and uncontrollable vomiting. When hemoperfusion is carried out using coal, hemorrhage, hypothermia, thromboembolism, hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, and decreased pressure are sometimes observed. Medicine containing a large number of sorbent can provoke disruption of intestinal microflora and dysbacteriosis.

Terms of sale and storage

Activated charcoal is freely available in Russia and is available from pharmacies without a doctor’s prescription in unlimited quantities. The medication should be stored in a dark, dry place out of reach of small children and pets.

Analogs

Medicines with similar effects are widely available on pharmaceutical market. However, their common disadvantage is their relatively high cost, wide list contraindications and, according to reviews, unexpressed effects. Main analogues of Activated charcoal:

• Filtrum;
• Polyphepan;
• Polysorb;
• Enterosgel.

Activated carbon price

The cost of the drug depends on the degree of purification of the main active substance, the presence of flavoring and aromatic additives. In addition, the price of a medicine in pharmacies depends on the manufacturer and the city in which the medicine is sold. When ordering online, the price of the medicine can be significantly lower. The drug can be ordered for delivery in some online pharmacies.

Video

Activated carbon is an adsorbent drug that reduces the absorption of toxic and medicinal substances, heavy metals, glycosides and alkaloids, thereby promoting their removal from the body.

activated carbon can adsorb gases, toxins, alkaloids, and glycosides. The adsorption property also manifests itself if it is necessary to cleanse the body of heavy metal salts and salicylates. Purification is also possible in case of poisoning with barbiturates and other compounds. Activated carbon helps reduce the absorption of such harmful substances from the gastrointestinal tract several times. It also promotes their excretion from the body in feces.

The use of the drug as a sorbent for hemoperfusion is especially effective in cases of acute poisoning with barbiturates, glutethimide, or theophylline.

Clinical and pharmacological group

Adsorbent.

Terms of sale from pharmacies

Can buy without a doctor's prescription.

Price

How much does activated carbon cost in pharmacies? average price is at the level of 15 rubles.

Composition and release form

Activated carbon is available in the form of tablets for oral administration. The tablets are round compressed formations and are available in paper packaging of 10 pieces.

• The tablets contain 250 or 500 mg of activated carbon and potato starch as an excipient.

Pharmacological effect

Activated carbon is carbon of animal or plant origin that has undergone special processing. The drug is a strong adsorbent that absorbs glycosides, poisons, gases, salts of heavy metals, synthetic and alkaloids. natural origin, sleeping pills, sulfonamides, hydrocyanic acid, phenolic derivatives, as well as toxins of bacterial, plant and animal origin.

The drug has a moderate adsorbing effect towards acids and alkalis. High activity of the drug is observed during hemoperfusion in case of poisoning with barbiturates, glutathimide and theophylline.

The medication has a detoxifying and antidiarrheal effect. Coal is good at removing harmful accumulations from the body that contribute to the deposition of fat. This is why activated charcoal is often used for weight loss.

Indications for use

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:

1. Intoxication due to dysentery;
2. Allergic diseases;
3. Food poisoning;
4. Dyspepsia;
5. Flatulence;
6. Diarrhea;
7. Poisoning chemical compounds, including organophosphorus and organochlorine;
8. Hypersecretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach;
9. Poisoning with drugs, including salts of heavy metals or alkaloids, as well as psychoactive substances;
10. Metabolic disorders;
11. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome.

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

Contraindications

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.

Prescription during pregnancy and lactation

Data about negative impact the drug on a woman’s body during pregnancy, as well as data on its negative effect on the development of the fetus. Taking pills during pregnancy should take into account contraindications.

There is no data on the negative effects of the drug when used for hepatitis B.

Dosage and method of administration

As indicated in the instructions for use, take the drug orally, 1-2 hours before meals or medications. Average daily dosage The dose is 100-200 mg/kg, taken in three doses. Treatment lasts 3-14 days, after 14 days. it can be repeated.

1. With flatulence and dyspeptic disorders The product is taken 3-4 times a day, 1-2 grams for 3-7 days.
2. In case of poisoning, activated carbon is taken according to the instructions, 20-30 grams - the powder is diluted in 100-150 ml of water. In case of acute poisoning, the stomach is first washed with a suspension prepared from 10-20 g of powder, after which the patient is prescribed to take charcoal orally - 20-30 g/day.
3. For diseases accompanied by fermentation and rotting of food in the intestines, increased secretion stomach juice, the drug is taken for 1-2 weeks. The dosage depends on age: children under 7 years old are given 5 grams of coal, children 7-14 years old – 7 grams of the product, adults are prescribed to take 10 g of coal 3 times a day.

Judging by reviews of activated carbon, there are two effective schemes using it to cleanse the body during a diet:

• You need to take 10 tablets in one day. Drink charcoal before meals, in several doses;
• activated charcoal for weight loss is taken at the rate of one tablet per 10 kg of weight, before meals. It is not recommended to take more than 7 tablets at one time. The ideal regimen is to start taking no more than three tablets at a time, gradually increasing the dosage.

They take activated charcoal for weight loss in ten-day courses, take a break for 10 days, and then return to the diet again. Good effect observed after additional cleansing enemas.

Adverse reactions

Side effects of Activated Carbon may include:

• Hemorrhage;
• Hypoglycemia;
• Constipation;
• Diarrhea;
• Dyspepsia;
• Black color of the chair;
• Embolism;
• Hypocalcemia;
• Hypothermia;
• Reduced blood pressure.

Long-term use can lead to impaired absorption of fats, proteins, calcium, vitamins, hormones, and nutrients;

Overdose

With long-term use of the drug in large doses, patients experience impaired absorption of fats, proteins, and microelements. Signs of an overdose of activated carbon are:

• hypocalcemia;
• decrease in body temperature (hypothermia);
• constipation;
• decrease in plasma glucose levels;
• hyponatremia;
• hemorrhages;
• lowering blood pressure.

If one or more signs of overdose appear, treatment with the drug should be stopped immediately and consult a doctor. Treatment of overdose is symptomatic.

special instructions

While taking the drug feces may turn black, which is normal and does not require discontinuation of treatment.

Activated carbon does not affect the speed of psychomotor reactions and the functioning of the central nervous system.

Interaction with other drugs

When an adsorbent is prescribed with other drugs, it weakens their effect on the body and reduces their absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. Activated charcoal should be taken with caution simultaneously with drugs of similar action: excessive adsorption can have an extremely negative effect on the condition of the intestinal wall and microflora.

Name:

Activated carbon (Carbo activatus)

Pharmacological
action:

Special treatment (increasing porosity) significantly increases the adsorbing surface of coal. It has an enterosorbing, detoxifying and antidiarrheal effect. Belongs to the group of polyvalent physicochemical antidotes, has high surface activity, adsorbs poisons and toxins from the gastrointestinal tract before their absorption, alkaloids, glycosides, barbiturates and other hypnotics, drugs for general anesthesia, salts of heavy metals, toxins of bacterial, plant, animal origin, derivatives of phenol, hydrocyanic acid, sulfonamides, gases. Active as a sorbent during hemoperfusion. Weakly adsorbs acids and alkalis (including Fe salts, cyanides, malathion, methanol, ethylene glycol). Does not irritate mucous membranes. In the treatment of intoxications it is necessary to create an excess of coal in the stomach (before gastric lavage) and in the intestines (after gastric lavage). 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). 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. If poisoning is caused by substances involved in enterohepatic circulation (cardiac glycosides, indomethacin, morphine and other opiates), it is necessary to use charcoal for several days. Particularly effective as a sorbent for hemoperfusion in cases of acute poisoning with barbiturates, glutathimide, theophylline.

Indications for
application:

Detoxification with exo- and endogenous intoxications: dyspepsia, flatulence, processes of putrefaction, fermentation, hypersecretion of mucus, HCl, gastric juice, diarrhea; poisoning with alkaloids, glycosides, salts of heavy metals, food intoxication; food poisoning, dysentery, salmonellosis, burn disease in the stage of toxemia and septicotoxemia; renal failure, chronic hepatitis, acute viral hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, atopic dermatitis, bronchial asthma, gastritis, chronic cholecystitis, enterocolitis, cholecystopancreatitis; poisoning with chemical compounds and drugs (including organophosphorus and organochlorine compounds, psychoactive drugs), allergic diseases, metabolic disorders, withdrawal symptoms alcohol syndrome; intoxication in cancer patients during radiation and chemotherapy; preparation for x-ray and endoscopic examinations(to reduce gas content in the intestines).

Mode of application:

Inside, in the form of an aqueous suspension or in tablets 1-2 hours before or after meals and taking other drugs. Average dose- 100-200 mg/kg/day (in 3 divided doses). Duration of treatment- 3-14 days, if necessary, a second course is possible after 2 weeks.
For poisoning and intoxication- 20-30 g in the form of an aqueous suspension: required amount powder for preparing a suspension is diluted in 100-150 ml of water (1 teaspoon contains 1 g).
For acute poisoningtreatment begins with gastric lavage with a 10-20% suspension, then switches to oral administration - 20-30 g / day. Treatment is continued at the rate of 0.5-1 g/kg/day in 3-4 doses for 2-3 days.
For dyspepsia, flatulence- 1-2 g 3-4 times a day. The course of treatment is 3-7 days. The course of treatment for diseases accompanied by fermentation and putrefaction in the intestines, increased secretion of gastric juice, lasts 1-2 weeks. Adults - 10 g 3 times a day; children under 7 years old - 5 g, 7-14 years old - 7 g per dose.

Side effects:

Dyspepsia, constipation or diarrhea; at long-term use- hypovitaminosis, decreased absorption of nutrients (fats, proteins), hormones from the gastrointestinal tract. With hemoperfusion through activated carbon - thromboembolism, hemorrhages, hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, hypothermia, decreased blood pressure.

Contraindications:

Hypersensitivity, ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract (incl. peptic ulcer stomach and duodenum, nonspecific ulcerative colitis), bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract, simultaneous administration of antitoxic drugs, the effect of which develops after absorption (methionine, etc.).

Interaction
other medicinal