Activated carbon – application, dosage, contraindications

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Many people struggling with diarrhea or poisoning are looking for effective methods to get rid of unpleasant ailments. One of the solutions is the use of black tablets containing activated carbon. What is medicinal charcoal and what is it used for? Here is some information.

Activated carbon – what is it?

Activated charcoal (activated charcoal, medicinal charcoal) comes in the form of black tablets. It is most often made of wood pulp (it is also made of peat, fossil coal or nut shells) at a temperature of nearly 900 degrees Celsius, and in the further production phase – activated by the action of steam or strong acids. All this results in obtaining the maximum adsorption surface.

Activated carbon – application

Already Hippocrates and his students recommended the use of powdered charcoal to be applied to wounds, thanks to which they healed much faster and did not give off an unpleasant odor. It is also worth mentioning that activated carbon is still used today by Aborigines and some African tribes. These people use charcoal to “extract” poison from wounds caused by the bites of spiders, scorpions or poisonous snakes. The Indians, in turn, use activated charcoal to treat allergic reactions resulting from ivy poisoning.

Activated carbon is also available in pharmacies in the form of antibacterial dressings. The carbon layer on the dressings absorbs wound exudate and unpleasant odor, and also binds endotoxins. This use of activated charcoal is especially recommended in the case of very difficult to heal wounds, bedsores or ulcers.

This is supported by numerous studies, for example, one four-week study involving two randomized controlled trials involving 60 people showed that activated carbon and silver used in wound dressings help remove harmful fluids and toxins from chronic venous leg ulcers, helping them to treat. In a more recent article that looked at four case reports, a similar result was obtained. A study published in June 2016 in the British Journal of Nursing found that when people with this type of wound were treated with activated charcoal dressings, their wounds healed better than when they were treated with other antibacterial dressings.

Activated carbon is used primarily as a specific for diarrhea – it has the ability to bind with other substances. So the product absorbs, among others bacteria and toxins that cause diarrhea and are then eliminated from the body (activated charcoal after oral administration is not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, but is excreted with the faeces, which in turn is associated with black stools). In addition, activated carbon covers the gastrointestinal mucosa, thus protecting it against the effects of hostile substances. You just have to remember that charcoal can be ingested for a short time due to the absorption of digestive enzymes along with vitamins.

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The beneficial effects of activated carbon also focus on the elimination of dangerous poisonings – both with chemicals and drugs. Due to the ability to bind toxins, bacteria and some drugs, it is used as an auxiliary drug in poisoning. The greatest effectiveness is shown by taking activated charcoal immediately after taking the poison, preferably up to 1 hour (studies show that when a single dose of 50-100 grams of activated charcoal is taken within five minutes of taking the drug, it can reduce absorption in adults by up to 74%, and this effect is reduced to about 50% when charcoal is taken 30 minutes after drug ingestion and up to 20% if ingested three hours after drug overdose).

However, it is worth knowing that activated carbon cannot be used in all types of poisoning. Such a solution is recommended, among others in poisoning with paracetamol, heavy metal salts, salicylates, phenols or benzadiazepine derivatives and nicotine.

It is worth mentioning that activated charcoal is also used as an aid in reducing flatulence. A small study published in the International Medical Journal found that activated charcoal was effective in reducing gas and gas in men with excessive gas and those without this problem.

A more recent observational study, published in August 2017 in PLoS One, indicates that the combination of simethicone and activated carbon helped reduce gas by 25% in people with excessive small intestinal flora (SIBO) growth after 10 days. SIBO is associated with greater gas production. Nevertheless, participants who took the Flagyl antibiotic (metronidazole) saw even better results, with a 67% reduction in gas. One limitation of this study, however, was that participants self-reported their gas incidents in a three-day diary before and after treatment, so it’s difficult to know if the incidents were accurately reported. Not to mention, three days is a relatively short period.

Activated carbon is also used in cosmetics. It is used in the production of preparations that eliminate such problems as: acne, blackheads or oily hair (for this purpose, you can prepare a face mask by combining a crushed tablet of activated carbon with, for example, natural yoghurt). You can also use Mydlarnia CZTERY CZTERY SZPAKI natural soap for acne-prone skin.

In addition, for people who have problems with dandruff – coal will work as a beneficial agent supporting the treatment of this ailment. We recommend a mask for combination skin with imperfections, a day cream for oily and combination skin and a Duetus peeling that contains activated carbon. For daily skin care, you can also use the Tadé Pays du Levant Detoxifying Activated Charcoal Soap or Aleppo Soap Co. Vegetable Gel Soap. by Tadé.

Activated carbon is also an ingredient in whitening toothpastes. Due to the content of tannins, such a paste helps to remove discoloration resulting, for example, from frequent drinking of coffee or tea. In addition, activated carbon in toothpaste helps to eliminate unpleasant odors from the mouth and soothes irritated gums. It is worth adding that the mentioned properties of activated carbon can also be used by crushing the tablet into a brush, but remember not to use it too often, as it may damage the enamel.

We recommend 100% natural Bioherba toothpaste, which in addition to activated carbon contains green tea and coconut oil. Also try the Perlax Antibacterial Toothpaste with activated carbon for discoloration and plaque.

Coal is also used for production of refills for protective masks and for the production of water and air filters. It is also used for the clarification of protein hydrolysates, musts, wines and juices, for the production of spirit, pure sugar, for the separation of gas mixtures, for the purification of vapors and gases. On the other hand, very black varieties of activated carbon are used for coloring.

Activated carbon – dosage

For adults and children over 12 years of agein mild food poisoning with symptoms of flatulence or excessive intestinal fermentation, the recommended dose should be from 800 to 1200 mg (activated carbon should then be administered several times a day until symptoms disappear). The tablets can be swallowed whole, although it is worth chewing them before the activated carbon can work faster.

In the case of diarrhea, two should be 3 to 6 g every hour (3-4 times), preferably in the form of a water suspension until symptoms disappear.

In turn, in the case of poisoning in adults and children over 1 year of age, a single dose should be from 4 to 12,5 g, and activated charcoal should be administered in the form of an aqueous suspension.

Activated carbon – use during pregnancy

When it comes to taking activated carbon for pregnant women, then there are no data on the safety of its use.

However, it should be remembered that pregnant women should be careful which preparations they use for treatment. It is recommended that pregnant women, if possible, refrain from taking medications, and if it is necessary to take any preparation, consult a physician in charge of pregnancy beforehand.

Activated carbon – contraindications

Contraindications to the use of activated carbon include gastrointestinal obstruction, paralysis of intestinal peristalsis, persistent vomiting, as well as disturbed consciousness or defective defense reflexes from the respiratory tract.

It should also be mentioned that activated carbon, due to its adsorption properties, cannot be used with drugs, as it can inhibit their action (reduces the absorption of salicylates, barbiturates, glutethimide, and possibly also other substances and drugs, such as contraceptives, anticoagulants or antibiotics). In addition, it is recommended to take activated charcoal at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking the drug. You should also not take activated charcoal with a meal, as it reduces its effect.

Activated carbon – side effects

When it comes to the side effects of taking activated charcoal, in addition to staining the faeces black, it may lead to: gastrointestinal disorders, constipation and vomiting (especially in children). It is also worth adding that activated carbon may also contribute to choking, especially during vomiting after administering charcoal.

Activated carbon – price

Activated charcoal is available in pharmacies and is sold in the form of powder capsules and tablets. The cost ranges from PLN 5 to PLN 10 per package.

Activated carbon – mold

Sometimes it happens that abnormal products or pathogens enter the body and then the body’s natural defenses (vomiting, diarrhea) are triggered, thanks to which food is removed. Sometimes we can eat a product with a small amount of mold. This should not cause major health problems (for healthy and adult people). In such a situation, it is a good idea to take two tablets of activated charcoal. Thanks to its absorption properties, it will be easier to excrete this type of substance from the gastrointestinal tract.

Activated carbon – cholesterol

Activated carbon can also help lower cholesterol. This is because the activated carbon can bind cholesterol and cholesterol-containing bile acids in the gut, preventing them from being absorbed by the body.

In one study, taking 24 grams of activated charcoal daily for four weeks reduced total cholesterol by 25% and bad LDL cholesterol by 25%. In turn, the level of HDL good cholesterol increased by 8%. In another study, taking 4 to 32 grams of activated charcoal daily helped reduce total and bad LDL cholesterol by 29 to 41% in people with high cholesterol. In this study, higher doses of activated charcoal appeared to be the most effective.

Similar results were reported in most, but not all, studies. However, it is worth noting that all research on this topic was carried out in the 80s.

Activated carbon – trimethylaminuria

Activated carbon can also help reduce odor in people with trimethylaminuria (TMAU), also known as fish odor syndrome. TMAU is a genetic disease in which trimethylamine (TMA), a compound with an odor similar to that of rotting fish, builds up in the body. Healthy people are usually able to convert TMA into a non-smelly compound before it is excreted in the urine. However, people with TMAU do not have the enzyme needed to perform this conversion.

This causes TMA to build up in the body and pass into the urine, sweat and breath, causing an unpleasant fishy smell. Research shows that the porous surface of activated carbon can help bind small odorous compounds like TMA, increasing their excretion.

One small study in TMAU patients looked at the effects of supplementing with 1,5 grams of activated carbon for 10 days. It lowered the concentration of TMA in the urine of patients to levels found in healthy subjects.

However, while these results appear promising, the topic requires further research.

Activated carbon – kidneys

It is worth mentioning that activated carbon can help the kidneys function properly by reducing the number of waste products that the kidneys need to filter. This can be especially beneficial in patients suffering from chronic kidney disease, a condition in which the kidneys can no longer properly filter waste products.

Healthy kidneys are usually very well equipped to filter blood without any additional help. However, chronic kidney disease patients generally find it more difficult to remove urea and other toxins from the body. In turn, activated carbon can bind urea and other toxins, helping the body eliminate them.

Urea and other waste products can pass from the bloodstream into the intestines in a process known as diffusion. In the intestine, they bind to activated carbon and are excreted in the faeces. In humans, activated charcoal has been shown to help improve kidney function in people with chronic kidney disease. In one study, activated carbon supplements could help lower levels of urea and other waste products in the blood in patients with end-stage renal disease (in one very small study published in the Saudi Journal of Kidney Diseases and Transplantation, elderly people with end-stage renal disease noticed a significant decrease in urea levels) and creatinine in the blood after taking 30 g of activated carbon per day in combination with a low-protein diet for 10 months).

However, it should be remembered that further research is needed on this topic as well.