Activated charcoal. Activated carbon: description, instructions, price

Formula: Cn, chemical name Carbon
Pharmacological group: metabolic/detoxifying agents, including antidotes; adsorbents
Pharmachologic effect: adsorbent, detoxifying, antidiarrheal.

Pharmacological properties

Activated carbon is characterized by high surface activity, which determines the ability to bind substances that lower surface energy (without changing their chemical nature). Sorbs gases, toxins, alkaloids, glycosides, salts of heavy metals, 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. When applied topically in a patch, it increases the rate of healing of ulcers. For the development of the maximum effect, it is recommended to enter immediately after poisoning or during the first hours. In the treatment of intoxication, it is necessary to create an excess of coal in the stomach (before washing it) and in the intestines (after washing the stomach). The presence of food masses in the gastrointestinal tract requires the introduction of high doses, because. the contents of the gastrointestinal tract are sorbed by carbon and its activity is reduced. A decrease in the concentration of coal in the medium contributes to the desorption of the bound substance and its absorption (to prevent the resorption of the released substance, repeated gastric lavage and the appointment of coal are recommended). If the poisoning is caused by substances involved in the enterohepatic circulation (cardiac glycosides, indomethacin, morphine and other opiates), it is necessary to use coal for several days. It is especially effective as a sorbent for hemoperfusion in cases of acute poisoning with barbiturates, glutathimide, theophylline.

Indications

Dyspepsia; diseases accompanied by processes of decay and fermentation in the intestines (including flatulence); increased acidity and hypersecretion of gastric juice; diarrhea; acute poisoning (including alkaloids, glycosides, salts of heavy metals); diseases with toxic syndrome - food toxic infections, dysentery, salmonellosis, burn disease in the stage of toxemia and septicotoxemia, hyperazotemia (chronic renal failure), hyperbilirubinemia (chronic and acute viral hepatitis, liver cirrhosis); allergic diseases; bronchial asthma; atopic dermatitis; preparation for x-ray and ultrasound examinations (to reduce gas formation in the intestines).

Method of application of activated carbon and doses

Take orally, in tablets or as an aqueous suspension (the required amount of the drug is mixed in 0.5 cups of water), 1 hour before meals and other medications. Adults on average 1.0-2.0 g 3-4 times a day, the maximum dose for adults is up to 8 g. Children are prescribed an average of 0.05 g / kg of body weight 3 times a day, the maximum single dose is up to 0.2 mg/kg body weight. The course of treatment for acute diseases is 3-5 days, for allergies and chronic diseases - up to 14 days. Repeated course - after 2 weeks on the recommendation of a doctor.
In acute poisoning - gastric lavage using a suspension of activated charcoal, then inside 20–30 g. In case of flatulence and dyspepsia - inside 1–2 g 3–4 times a day. The course of treatment is 3–7 days.
The course of treatment for diseases accompanied by the processes of fermentation and putrefaction in the intestines, increased secretion of gastric juice, lasts 1-2 weeks. Adults - 10 g 3 times a day between meals, children under 7 years old - 5 g each, 7–14 years old - 7 g per reception.
If you missed the next dose of medication, you can take activated charcoal as soon as you remember, but not earlier than one hour before eating or taking another medication. The time of the next medication should be shifted by the same interval.

Contraindications and restrictions for use

Ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract (including exacerbation of gastric and duodenal ulcers, ulcerative colitis), bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract, intestinal atony, simultaneous administration of antitoxic substances, the effect of which develops after absorption (methionine, etc.), hypersensitivity, constipation. Long-term use of activated charcoal disrupts the normal activity of the stomach, which can lead to difficult and painful digestion.

Use during pregnancy and lactation

The drug is non-toxic and is not absorbed into the blood. In the recommended doses, the contraindications are the same.

Side effects of activated charcoal

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

Interaction of activated carbon with other substances

Activated charcoal reduces the absorption and effectiveness of drugs taken orally at the same time as it; reduces the activity of intragastrically active substances (for example, ipecac).
It is recommended to store in a dry place, away from substances that release gases or vapors into the atmosphere. Storage in air (especially in a humid environment) reduces the sorption capacity.

Overdose

Data on a possible overdose of activated charcoal have not been reported.

"Activated charcoal" is an enterosorbent drug. The medicine is popular due to its antidiarrheal and detoxifying effect. "Activated charcoal" instructions for use suggest taking with food poisoning, flatulence and dyspepsia. It is often used for pain and heaviness in the abdomen.

Release form

The drug is produced in the form of capsules, granules, powder. Black tablets are widely used, which are produced in weights of 250 and 500 mg. As an active component, "Activated charcoal", from which it helps to cleanse the body of toxins, is part of the drug "".

Pharmacological properties

The drug is produced from natural coal, which undergoes special purification. The drug has strong adsorbing properties. It well absorbs alkaloids of various origins, toxic and poisonous substances, salts of heavy metals, sulfonamides, glycosides, phenols and other harmful elements.

"Activated charcoal" is effective for poisoning with barbiturates, glutathimide, theophylline. In addition, the detoxification and pro-diarrheal properties of the drug are known. The medicine adsorbs acids and alkalis well.

What does activated charcoal help with?

The drug is used for such anomalies as:

Patients feel improvement after taking the drug with impaired metabolism, allergic manifestations, intoxication after chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Many patients use "Activated Charcoal" for weight loss. The tool helps to reduce the formation of gas in the intestines, which is appropriate in the preparatory work for endoscopic and radiological procedures.

Instructions for use

The medicine "Activated charcoal" is consumed one hour before meals or before using medicines. The daily volume of 200 mg per kg of body weight is divided into three doses. Therapy is continued for up to two weeks. After a 14 day break, treatment can be resumed.

In case of poisoning, 30 g of powder must be diluted in 150 ml of water. In case of acute intoxication, gastric lavage is performed with a solution of 20 g of powder, then the patient is given to drink "Activated charcoal", from which improvement occurs. The medicine is taken at a dosage of 30 g per day.

With dyspepsia and flatulence, the medication is used up to 4 times a day for 3 days to a week. The daily dose is 1 - 2 g.

With pathologies that occur with rotting and fermentation of food residues in the intestines, with excessive secretion of gastric juice, the medication is used for 7 to 14 days. Babies under 7 years old are prescribed 5 g, children under 14 years old - 7 g. For adult patients, the dosage is 10 g of coal three times a day.

Cleansing while dieting

The method consists in the use of 10 tablets per day. Take before meals. Coal is drunk in courses of 10 days, after which they are interrupted for another 10 days, after which therapy is resumed. For greater effectiveness, the treatment is combined with cleansing enemas.

Side effect

In general, Activated Charcoal is a safe medicine that rarely causes negative reactions in the body. Side effects are possible with prolonged use of the drug in high doses. Patients in some cases observe:

• diarrhea
• constipation;
• staining the chair black;
• violations of the absorption of minerals and vitamins.

Contraindications

You can not take "Activated charcoal" with:

• individual rejection of the drug;
• peptic ulcer;
• bleeding of the stomach or intestines;
• ulcerative colitis.

Price and analogues

The cost of coal starts from 5 rubles, varies depending on the form and amount of the drug. Medicines have similar properties: Sorbeks, Karbaktin, Karbosorb, Karbopekt. "Aktisorb", "Leokol".

Vacation and storage conditions

Tablets are dispensed from pharmacies freely, this does not require a prescription from a doctor.

It is necessary to store the package with the drug in a dry, well-ventilated area, away from volatile agents and foreign odors. Avoid direct sunlight on the drug. The shelf life of Uglo tablets is 2 years from the date of manufacture, subject to proper storage of the drug.

Activated charcoal is a medicine that is well known to everyone and is present in every home first aid kit without exception. It is even possible that this is the most used drug in the history of pharmacology. They learned how to make it in ancient Egypt. Since then, the use of activated carbon has not lost its relevance.

Activated carbon is presented in the form of a black powder that has no taste and smell. It is almost insoluble in water. It can be produced in the form of tablets, powder, paste and capsules. A package of charcoal may contain 10-50 tablets with a dosage of 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg.

The main and only active substance of the drug is activated (porous) carbon. It is produced industrially from carbonaceous organic materials such as charcoal, petroleum or coal coke, coconut shells, and others.

The substance has a large specific surface, as it contains a huge number of pores. As a result, it has a high adsorption capacity. One gram of coal can have 500-1500 sq. m. surface.

Once in the body, activated charcoal begins to collect both harmful and beneficial substances, preventing them from entering the bloodstream.

What is it used for

It is used for dyspepsia, food intoxication, poisoning with alkaloids, salts of heavy metals, flatulence to reduce the processes of gas formation, at the stage of preparation for various internal studies (fluoroscopy, endoscopy).

Activated charcoal comes to the rescue when you need to remove toxins from the body, it is prescribed for chronic kidney failure in the early stages.

This drug is taken in all cases when harmful substances accumulate in the digestive tract, for example, with heartburn (increased acidity in the stomach), food poisoning, intestinal infections.

Activated charcoal is very effective in poisoning with mushrooms, fish, sausages, alcohol, medications, as well as some chemicals such as strychnine, morphine, heavy metal salts.

In addition to the usual use for us, coal is also used for the following diseases:

• salmonellosis;
• dysentery;
• cirrhosis of the liver;
• hepatitis;
• dermatitis;
• metabolic disorders;
• cholecystitis;
• intoxication in cancer.

Charcoal is also used to treat allergies of various origins, but it is best used to treat a food allergic reaction. The effect is achieved by removing toxins and cleansing the body, since this disease very often develops due to poor functioning of the digestive tract, when the intestines are not able to fully remove processed food waste from the body.

pharmachologic effect

Charcoal has absorbent, detoxifying and immune-boosting properties. Under its influence, the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, the condition of the mucous membranes improves, and metabolic processes are restored. Reduces the load on the liver, kidneys, intestines.

It reduces the entry of toxins, lead salts, mercury and other heavy metals, alkaloids and glycosides, medicines into the body from the digestive tract, promotes their removal from the body, and also collects gases.

Charcoal tablets do not injure the mucous membranes, do not cause irritation in them. Well contribute to the healing of ulcers, if applied for local treatment, applying to the patch. To achieve the desired effect in a short time, it is recommended to inject immediately or within the first hour after poisoning. Coal has a preventive effect, it is prescribed for allergy sufferers during the flowering period of plants.

Instructions for use in case of poisoning, dosage

It is used orally in the form of tablets, if necessary, they can be crushed and mixed in half a glass of water. An aqueous suspension is used for intoxication and poisoning (30 grams each), flatulence and hyperacidity (2 g / 3-4 times). Tablets are used for dyspepsia, as well as flatulence (in both cases - 3 pieces / 4 times).

If in case of poisoning with spoiled foods only time and warm drinks help, then in case of poisoning with household chemicals and medicines, activated carbon is the only savior before the arrival of medical help. If a person has just been poisoned, you need to take a glass of water and at least 10 tablets, and also call a doctor (ambulance).

In this case, no measures should be taken to wash the stomach, especially in case of poisoning with vinegar and alkalis. This can seriously aggravate the damage to the esophagus, stomach. What is good about the drug is that it works in the intestinal lumen and is not absorbed, that is, it does not have a systemic effect.

Use for weight loss

There is a simple procedure for using Activated Charcoal to lose weight. On the eve of the fasting day, several tablets are taken in the evening, and the next day food intake is limited to unsweetened tea and water. In extreme cases, the use of lean broth is acceptable.

Regularly carrying out this procedure, for example once a week, will allow you to get rid of unnecessary kilograms. Naturally, if you feel worse, you should return to normal food intake.

White activated carbon

Recently, on the pharmacy shelves, you can increasingly see this product. Its advantages over black charcoal are higher absorption capacity (up to 10 times), easier intake due to the absence of any taste, and the fact that it does not provoke constipation. The undoubted advantage is that white coal binds exclusively toxins, without affecting substances that are beneficial to the body.

The usual dosage of this drug is 9 tablets per day, divided into three doses, that is, much less than ordinary Activated Black Charcoal.

Contraindications and side effects

Coal is allowed to be taken by pregnant women, the elderly, small children from the age of three. But despite the safety, there are still contraindications to the use of the drug, although there are few of them. Reception of activated carbon is undesirable in such cases:

• ulcerative lesions of the digestive tract;
• stomach bleeding;
• hypersensitivity of the body to the drug;
• intestinal obstruction.

It is contraindicated to take the drug in large quantities exceeding the recommended doses. Excess drug can provoke the formation of erosions on the inner surface of the stomach. It is necessary to observe the time interval between taking coal and other medicines, as well as food. Being a strong sorbent, coal significantly reduces their absorption.

Side effects include the appearance of constipation or, conversely, diarrhea. With prolonged use, the body loses proteins, fats, vitamins and hormones. Fecal masses at the time of taking the drug acquire the color of the sorbent. After chewing the tablets, rinse your mouth, as the black powder also stains the tooth enamel.

Application for children

Black coal is allowed to children of any age, although it can be very difficult to feed them this drug. It is drunk in the form of an aqueous solution or tablets. Add the recommended number of tablets to half a glass of water.

The dose of the medicine received depends on the weight, as well as on the age of the small patient. For 1 kg of weight, 50 mg of the drug is taken. As a result, it turns out one tablet for every 5 kg. Take three times a day. The duration of treatment is determined by a specialist, but, as a rule, it does not last more than two weeks.

A child under one year old should be given tablets, having previously dissolved them in water (children under 1 year old - 2 pcs., up to 3 years old - 4 pcs., up to 6 years old - 6 pcs., after six - 12 pcs.).

Activated carbon belongs to the first generation of sorbents. Now modern preparations have appeared (Smecta, etc.), which have a larger absorbent surface than coal. They come in a more convenient form (in powder form) to take by mouth, so they are much easier to take, especially for children.

If the intake of activated charcoal did not give the expected results, it is necessary for a sick child to urgently call for medical help.

special instructions

You need to know about the features of coal reception. It is necessary to take the drug several hours (1-3 hours) before or after a meal, so as not to deactivate the nutrients in the digestive tract that come with food.

Activated charcoal has a fixing effect, so you need to drink more and eat a diet high in vegetables (fiber) while taking it.

It should be remembered that the sorption properties of coal apply not only to toxins, but also to vitamins. So it is not worth using it uncontrollably.

After undergoing treatment with coal, it is necessary to strengthen the diet with foods with an increased capacity of vitamins and probiotics.

When storing the drug, it is necessary to ensure that it does not come into contact with its surface with other substances. He can adsorb them inside himself, and this will cause irreparable harm to the body. When using the drug, you should always look at the packaging, which indicates the amount of the active substance. It may differ from what the patient is accustomed to taking.

drug interaction

Coal is able to reduce the drug effect of concomitantly taken drugs. Therefore, treatment with these drugs must be separated by an interval of two or even three hours.

In contact with

One of the most essential medicines in every first aid kit is activated charcoal. The use of activated charcoal is not limited to food poisoning, this tool will come to the rescue in other situations.

What is activated charcoal used for?

Being a natural sorbent, the drug is used to bind and remove harmful and toxic substances from the body. As part of complex therapy, it is taken with:

• food poisoning
• Ingestion of salts of heavy metals
• dysentery
• cholera
• typhoid fever
• gastritis
• Colitis
• Increased stomach acid
• vomit
• diarrhea

What is activated carbon?

The medicine is made from natural materials (peat, coal), which are heated in an airless space with subsequent treatment with chemicals. Thanks to this technology, the finished tablet has a porous structure.

The pores can significantly increase the suction surface of the sorbent. Crushed tablets (powder) have an even greater ability to absorb, therefore, for a thicker and faster effect, it is recommended that the tablets be crushed and chewed before use.

Help with poisoning

It is important to know that the sooner assistance is provided for poisoning, the greater the effect can be achieved.

At the first signs of ill health, it is necessary to take 6-8 tablets of activated charcoal, washing them down with a sufficient amount of water. Crushed tablets can be mixed in a glass of water and drunk. Considering that coal does not dissolve in water, the resulting suspension must be shaken well before use.

The drug is continued until recovery, drink 3-4 tablets at a time.

In case of acute intoxication, the stomach is first cleansed with charcoal diluted in water (10-20 g of charcoal per 0.1 l of water), and then 6-8 tablets are given to the patient.

Coal has a local effect on the body, is not absorbed by the intestines and is excreted in the same volume in which it was taken, staining the feces black.

It is treated according to the same scheme, the instructions for the drug recommend taking 3-5 tablets an hour or two before alcohol in order to reduce the damage to the body.

With severe vomiting, it is first necessary to take antiemetic drugs, and only then - activated charcoal.

Intestinal problems

Activated charcoal is effective for stool problems: diarrhea, constipation, flatulence.

The causes of bowel dysfunction are:

1. Fermentation
2. rotting
3. Gastritis
4. Pancreatitis

How much and how often to take coal depends on the severity of the problem:

• At the initial stage, it is enough to take the drug in the morning and in the evening, 2 tablets per dose;
• Constipation or diarrhea lasting more than two days is treated according to the scheme 3 tablets at a time, three times a day;
• The medicine is taken before or after meals, with an interval of 1-2 hours.

If home treatment does not work, you need to seek qualified medical help. Prolonged diarrhea threatens with serious dehydration of the body and further deterioration of the condition.

However, if constipation is caused by an atonic state of the intestine, there is a suspicion of intestinal obstruction, rectal bleeding, and activated charcoal should not be drunk with exacerbation of the ulcer.

Coal adsorbs gases, toxins, slags, thus cleaning the intestines.

Additionally, you can conduct several courses of cleansing, taking coal three times a day before meals, the dosage is 1 tablet for every 10 kilos of body weight. The duration of the course is 1-2 weeks.

Relieve allergies

With food allergies, the intake of activated charcoal will speed up the elimination of the allergen from the body. The standard scheme is 3 tablets per dose, 3-4 times a day. A specialist will help you choose an individual dosage.

Is it possible to lose weight with magic pills?

There is no evidence that activated charcoal is a weight loss drug. In some cases, it helps to reduce weight by cleansing the intestines, but you should not get involved in such weight loss methods.

When taking activated charcoal, it is necessary to provide the body with vitamins and minerals, since charcoal also binds and removes them. In addition, long-term use of the drug is fraught with disruption of the intestinal microflora, so probiotics during this period will also not be superfluous.

A quick and noticeable effect for weight loss from coal is not to be expected. It is used in combination with a low-calorie diet and active physical activity (gym, gym, swimming pool, fitness).

For pregnant and lactating

Activated charcoal is one of the few drugs that can be taken while breastfeeding without fear of harming the baby. Neither the powder nor the tablets release medicinal substances into the blood, which can pass through the placental barrier to the fetus or with breast milk during feeding. The drug acts locally in the intestines and is excreted from the body through the digestive tract.

In connection with the hormonal changes that occur in the body of a woman in the first trimester, many have a broken stool, suffer from constipation, increased gas formation, and intestinal colic. All these problems will be overcome by activated charcoal. Additionally, it will reduce the acidity of the stomach and relieve heartburn, which also appears at this time quite often.

To solve "digestive" problems, take 2-3 tablets 2 hours after eating. It is important to remember that coal also removes beneficial substances from the intestines, which are doubly necessary for the expectant mother. Therefore, despite the harmlessness of coal, one should not get carried away with such preventive measures.

The use of activated carbon in pediatrics

The drug is prescribed for children, since possible side effects are minimized, and it is necessary to help the child.

The medicine is prescribed for:

• Poisoning (food, chemical, medicinal);
• Infectious diseases manifested by vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, dyspepsia);

It is difficult for small children to swallow a tablet, so the drug is given crushed, in the form of an aqueous suspension. In addition, the sorbent is produced in the form of ready-made powder, paste - forms that are more convenient for treating children.

For newborns, activated charcoal is prescribed as part of complex therapy in the treatment of neonatal jaundice. Moms should not be afraid, coal will not cause any harm. Parents should remember that thanks to the coal, the feces will be black and this is absolutely natural.

Hollywood smile

Popular use of activated charcoal for teeth whitening. Numerous tests prove that regular brushing with charcoal powder can help make them visibly whiter. This fact cannot but arouse enthusiasm, since the drug is cheap and accessible to everyone, and the effect is stunning.

However, before you start bleaching, you should understand how the powder works. The enamel turns yellow and darkens due to the fact that food dyes, particles of food, tea, coffee, and cigarette smoke remain on its surface. Partially, these substances are sorbed by coal and removed from the surface, visually making teeth whiter.

But no matter how finely dispersed the powder is, it still acts on the principle of abrasives - it removes food residues from the teeth mechanically, leaving scratches that are invisible for the time being. Constant dental treatment can lead to serious dental problems, so you should not abuse it.

Glowing facial skin

Activated charcoal is part of face masks. It absorbs substances that clog pores, opening them, reduces skin oiliness, and fights inflammation.

The duration of the procedure is 10 minutes, exceeding the time you can achieve an absolutely opposite effect: small particles of coal so deeply and reliably eat into the skin that they will give it a dark earthy tint, which will not be easy to get rid of.

Crushed tablets or ready-made powder are mixed with other ingredients and applied to pre-steamed skin.

• The black dot mask includes a crushed activated charcoal tablet and 1 tsp. gelatin. Add 2 tsp to the mixture. milk and put in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. Before applying, the mask must be cooled and applied to problem areas (nose, chin, forehead). The mask is removed after drying.
• Ice tones and refreshes the skin. A greater effect can be achieved if crushed charcoal tablets are added to the water before freezing.
• To give a healthy look, clean it, a mask of coal (1 tablet), yogurt without additives and dyes (2 tsp) and lemon juice (1 tsp) will help
• a mask of charcoal (2 tablets), aloe juice (1 tsp) and sea salt (½ tsp) is recommended. In the mixture, you can add 2 drops of tea tree oil, which has a pronounced antiseptic effect.
• In the absence of additional ingredients, crushed tablets are mixed with warm water or milk to a mushy state and applied to the face.

In addition to black, a drug called "White Coal" is sold in pharmacies. A marketing ploy designed to draw attention to a new drug and increase sales. The drug based on cellulose and silicon oxide has a high adsorption capacity, respectively, the dosage is several times lower.

The drug improves intestinal motility, does not cause constipation. However, children are not recommended to give this medicine.

Activated carbon from a pharmacy is intended for purely medical purposes, it should not be used for filters in an aquarium, since all inhabitants may die. For these purposes, a substance with the same name intended for water purification is sold in specialized stores.

Activated charcoal helps to stop the signs of poisoning, to cope with serious infectious diseases, but this drug should be taken according to the instructions, since the thoughtless use of charcoal to obtain the mythical effect of rapid weight loss, for example, will not benefit, but harm.

A group of sorbent preparations is used when it is necessary to quickly remove toxic substances and their decay products, food allergens, pathogenic microorganisms, and accumulated toxins from the intestines. Charcoal tablets are among the most affordable and versatile remedies. Consumers need to know how to take activated charcoal and follow the instructions exactly, because the drug has its own characteristics and contraindications.

Transformation in the intestines into a porous black powder increases the area of ​​​​contact with the contents. It is estimated that one gram of coal mass is able to bind 300 mg of a sleeping pill based on barbiturates, 700-800 mg of morphine group drugs, 300-400 ml of alcohol residues. Therefore, the tool is actively recommended for emergency care in case of poisoning. Timely reduction of the concentration of harmful substances in the intestine allows the body to prevent the impact on the brain, protect the liver and other organs.

How to take activated charcoal?

The properties of activated carbon are manifested only when it is used correctly. The drug is able to adsorb on the surface:

• gaseous substances;
• natural and synthetic alkaloids;
• plant and bacterial toxins;
• poisons (hydrocyanic acid);
• heavy metal salts;
• sleeping pills, cardiac glycosides, sulfonamides;
• some drugs;
• phenols.

Less blocking effect is observed in relation to acids, alkalis.

Important! The drug does not pass through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream. It is transported along with the contents of the intestine to the anus, does not affect peristalsis. The stools turn black.

Indications and contraindications for taking the sorbent

Activated charcoal is mistakenly called an "antidote" by some. By its nature of action, it does not show opposite qualities, therefore it cannot serve as an antidote. The functions are reduced to cleansing the body in an unfavorable state in the digestive system, the impossibility of self-combating toxic substances.

Coal as a medical preparation is indicated in complex treatment:

• food poisoning (milk, meat, mushrooms, stale foods);
• when using toxic alkaloids (morphine, strychnine, nicotine, high doses of coffee);
• elimination of symptoms and consequences of intestinal infections (salmonellosis, pathogenic E. coli, dysentery, typhoid fever, cholera), helminthic invasion;
• digestive disorders caused by a malfunction of the liver, biliary tract, pancreas (diarrhea, bloating);
• skin allergic reactions, dermatitis;
• signs of overdose and negative properties of drugs taken orally;
• complications of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

The sorbent is needed in preparation for diagnostic X-ray, ultrasound and colonoscopy studies of the digestive tract to remove gases.

Activated charcoal is contraindicated in patients with the following conditions:

• gastritis and peptic ulcer;
• intestinal diseases with damage to the mucous membrane (colitis, Crohn's disease, gastroenteritis);
• chronic atonic constipation;
• bleeding from the stomach and intestines.

Important! Patients who are forced to constantly take medications, vitamin-mineral complexes, should take into account that when using coal, their absorption will be delayed or completely stopped. Powder particles adsorb medicines on their surface as foreign substances and prevent them from entering the bloodstream.

Absorption decreases with increasing dosage of coal.

Rules and schemes for receiving activated carbon

How to drink activated charcoal in a particular case, the doctor will tell you. We will give clarifications and additions to the instructions, caused by vital needs and situations. Schemes of use are developed and confirmed by practice.

In case of food poisoning, the best effect will occur if you use the tablets in the first 12 hours after eating a suspicious product. During this period, patients usually experience nausea, vomiting, frequent diarrhea, stomach pain, fever, and weakness. In the absence of vomiting, it is more convenient to immediately use 3-4 tablets for an adult, chew and swallow them, drink at least a glass of water.

When vomiting began, it is impossible to take pills. It is necessary to crush or grind them to a state of powder, dilute in a liter of boiled water and use the suspension to wash the stomach. The tool will begin to act in 20 minutes. Then, according to the effectiveness, you can calculate the subsequent dosage for the day.

With a hangover - before the start of the feast, a person who tends to forget about the norms of alcohol and his own abilities is recommended to drink 6-7 tablets of coal (with a weight of 70 kg) in a few hours for the purpose of prevention. Before you sit down at the table, you must additionally take 2 more tablets.

If a hangover syndrome has developed in the morning, then on an empty stomach it is better to drink a suspension of 6-8 tablets in warm water. The effect will come faster.

Expecting a result, you need to take into account the amount of heavy meat and fatty foods eaten the day before. It delays the excretion of toxins and makes it difficult for the liver to break down ethanol. Therefore, in the absence of diarrhea, it is recommended to make a cleansing enema.

Attention! The use of other drugs (for headaches, hepatoprotectors) simultaneously with activated charcoal to eliminate the symptoms of a hangover will significantly reduce their effect.

For the same reason, it does not make sense to add other sorbents to any treatment regimen (Polysorb, Enterosgel). If a person needs to take a drug, then the interval with the use of activated charcoal should be at least two hours.

For the treatment of food and drug allergies, charcoal is prescribed 2-4 tablets three times a day before meals for a course of 2 weeks.

The drug does not work with an allergic reaction and an overdose of a drug administered intramuscularly or intravenously.

In cases of diarrhea, the drug is prescribed depending on the cause, severity of the condition, age and weight of the patient. Adults and children over 10 years of age can use up to 32 tablets per day, evenly distributing them every 2 hours. Younger children are allowed to take 1 tablet per 15 kg of weight, with breaks for daytime and nighttime sleep.

There is information about the help of activated charcoal in losing weight. Endocrinologists consider it ineffective. We will provide diagrams for inquisitive readers. There are 3 options to “lose weight with charcoal”:

• 1 - within a month, drink a single dose before lunch or dinner (for example, a person weighing 90 kg needs to drink 9 tablets at once);
• 2 - daily for a whole month in the morning, before sitting down to eat, drink 2 tablets, drink a glass of water;
• 3 - daily dosage of 10 tablets divided into 3 doses one hour before meals.

Followers of the methodology argue the role of activated charcoal by complicity in improving digestion, disturbed by obesity.

Calculation of activated carbon per kg of weight

For the correct calculation of the drug, you should know how much the patient weighs (in kilograms), the age of the child, and whether the woman planning to take charcoal tablets is pregnant.

The medicine is odorless and tasteless, therefore, if necessary, allows maximum dosing.

Calculate by weight for patients older than ten years of age should be according to the rule - 1 tablet (250 mg) per 10 kg. With a body weight expressed as an intermediate number (for example, 73 kg), 1 tablet is added.

For children, the scheme looks different: the daily dosage is calculated at 250 mg for every 15 kg of weight. For additional kilograms, half a tablet is taken.

Activated charcoal is not contraindicated for pregnant women. But it requires caution to use. The mass of the fetus, amniotic fluid is excluded from the total weight. It is necessary from the II trimester and during the prenatal period to provide for the possibility of increased constipation due to excess dosage.

Maximum daily dose

The maximum number of tablets for an adult is 32 pieces, which is equal to a mass of 8 g with a weight of one tablet of 0.25 g. The daily dose should be divided into 3-4 doses.

A child under two years of age cannot swallow pills. They prepare a suspension of powder for him (rub 2 tablets for the whole day). At three years, 3 tablets are allowed, at 6 years the dosage increases to six. Water acidified with lemon is suitable for drinking. If you do not take enough water, then there is a threat of dehydration, since coal, along with slag, removes liquid.

In case of poisoning, adults are prescribed up to 100 tablets per day, deliberately exceeding the maximum dosage.

The maximum number of tablets that can be taken at a time

The average dosage of activated angle includes 4-8 g / day, in terms of the number of tablets, this is 16-32. The entire daily dose is allowed to be taken once. In case of poisoning, the dosage is increased by 3-4 times.

The doctor prescribes the necessary dosage of activated charcoal. You can drink it on your own 1-2 times before the doctor's examination.

Food addiction: before or after food?

Coal is taken in the morning on an empty stomach, in the evening - on an empty stomach. It is recommended to drink an hour and a half to an hour before meals or 40-60 minutes after. Plentiful drink should be added to food.

How long can you use activated charcoal without a break?

It does not make sense to use coal for a long time, since it is not a therapeutic, but a symptomatic drug. Four days is enough to make a diagnosis and prescribe a full-fledged therapy.

Proponents of the method of losing weight with coal note the need for additional use of enemas and laxatives.

What threatens the uncontrolled use of activated charcoal? The doctor answers

Doctors have to deal with the consequences of overdose, misuse, and rarely allergic manifestations.

Passion for weight loss advertising brings patients to persistent atonic constipation, partial intestinal obstruction. Doctors are categorically against this direction. Some people are confident in the complete cleansing of the body with charcoal, take it during and after SARS, influenza. There is no "purification" involved. The state of a person in the recovery period requires vitamins, immunomodulators. And coal retains in the intestines and does not allow useful drugs and substances from food to be absorbed.

There are many symptomatic remedies to relieve bloating, charcoal tablets are outdated and inconvenient to use. Their use should be recommended as first aid for poisoning. The advantage is considered to be a long period, suitable simple conditions for storage, inclusion in a home first-aid kit.

If activated charcoal is needed, then the optimal dosage is selected. It is not suitable for everyone due to the large number of tablets. The drug is suitable for emergency treatment of poisoning. With unclear vomiting, diarrhea, a more correct decision is to consult a doctor and find out the cause. No one has been able to cure the disease with coal yet. Fat people need serious dietary restrictions and physical activity, and not the pursuit of advertising.

Bibliography

1. Cartel N.T. Possibilities of therapeutic action of medical sorbents based on activated carbons. Efferent therapy 1995 v.1 No. 4 pp. 11–18.
2. Rachkovskaya L.N. Carbon-mineral sorbents for medicine. Novosibirsk 1996
3. Mashkovsky M.D. Medicines. A guide for doctors. M. Nov. Wave 2013
4. Kryzhanovsky S.A. Modern medicines. More than 10,000 items M. Ripol-Classic 2009
5. Giordano K. Sorbents and their clinical application. Kyiv: Higher School 1989
6. Martynov A.K. Structural and functional organization, implementation of the medicinal properties of enterosorbents. efferent therapy. 2006 #2 pp. 11–17.