Overview

Activated charcoal is commonly given by a health care provider to treat a drug overdose or poisoning. Dietary supplements that contain activated charcoal are also available and are used for many other reasons, but their benefits are not well defined. Common side effects include black poop, nausea, or vomiting. If you or someone you know is having a drug overdose or emergency, seek medical help right away and do not try to treat it at home. If you are considering using activated charcoal supplements, make sure to tell your health care provider about any health conditions you have or medicines you are taking.

Uses

What is activated charcoal used for?

Activated charcoal is commonly given by a health care provider to help treat a drug overdose or poisoning. If you or someone you know has had a drug overdose or poisoning, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222. Do not try to treat a drug overdose or poisoning at home.

Activated charcoal dietary supplements are used for various reasons, such as whitening the teeth, improving digestive health, and preventing bad breath, but their benefits are not well defined.

Activated charcoal may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

Note: Some activated charcoal products are drugs and others are dietary supplements. The FDA has not reviewed activated charcoal dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about dietary supplements here.

How does activated charcoal work (mechanism of action)?

Activated charcoal is a unique form of charcoal that can bind easily to other substances. Activated charcoal is made by processing charcoal to create holes and pockets all over the surface of each particle. These holes and pockets are able to bind to many substances, which is called adsorption.

When activated charcoal is taken very soon after a poisoning or drug overdose from products taken by mouth, it can bind to the poison or drug that is still in the stomach. Once a substance is bound to activated charcoal, it cannot be absorbed by your body. If activated charcoal is given in time (usually within about one hour), it can help reduce the impact of an overdose or poisoning. But it does not work for all types of overdoses or poisonings, and it may not completely prevent a poisoning. This treatment should be given in a health care facility where you can be monitored and get other treatments as needed.

Because activated charcoal can bind to many substances and keep them from entering the body, some people have proposed taking activated charcoal supplements for many reasons. Some examples include cleansing the gut, improving gut health, reducing hangovers, and preventing bad breath. However, activated charcoal may also prevent your body from absorbing important substances, such as nutrients. The benefits and risks of activated charcoal for these uses are not well defined.

Some people have proposed that taking activated charcoal may be useful for people with Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity who have accidentally eaten gluten. But gluten is a very large molecule, and activated charcoal cannot bind to it. Taking activated charcoal will not lessen the effects of accidentally eating gluten.

Activated charcoal is sometimes used on the teeth or skin. It may be added to toothpaste to help with teeth whitening, because it is a gritty powder that can help to scrub off stains. But it is not clear if activated charcoal actually helps whiten the teeth, and there is a risk that using it regularly could damage your teeth over time. People may apply activated charcoal to the skin to help remove toxins and oils, but it can also remove healthy substances from the skin at the same time. Its benefits for this use are not well defined.

How is activated charcoal supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

• Actidose-Aqua
• CharcoalAid
• EZ Char
• Insta-Char
• Liqui-Char
• Superchar

Dosage forms and strengths

Activated charcoal is available over the counter and as a dietary supplement in various dosage forms and strengths, such as a liquid that is swallowed or a powder that is mixed into liquid and swallowed.

How should I store activated charcoal?

Most activated charcoal products should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). They can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting them. Store in a cool, dry place.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of activated charcoal?

The most common side effects of activated charcoal are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on the dose or the specific product you are using. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

• Black poop
• Nausea or vomiting

There may be other side effects of activated charcoal that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of activated charcoal?

While less common, the most serious side effects of activated charcoal are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Activated charcoal may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using activated charcoal and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

• Breathing problems or wheezing
• Racing heart
• Fever or general ill feeling
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
• Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
• Itching or skin rash
• Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
• Stomach cramps
• Joint pain

Gut Blockage. Activated charcoal can cause a blockage in the intestines that can be serious. This is more likely to happen when activated charcoal is used regularly or in high doses. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a blockage in your intestines.

• Lack of appetite
• Feeling full after eating a small amount of food
• Nausea or vomiting
• Stomach pain or bloating

Blood in your stool (poop)

Precautions

Who should not use activated charcoal?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use activated charcoal.

• Actidose-Aqua
• Activated charcoal
• CharcoalAid
• EZ Char
• Insta-Char
• Liqui-Char
• Superchar
• Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific activated charcoal products they stock.

What should I know about activated charcoal before using it?

Activated charcoal may be given to you by a health care provider during an emergency, such as right after a drug overdose or poisoning for products taken by mouth. Do not try to treat an overdose or poisoning at home.

Activated charcoal is also available as an over-the-counter supplement, which cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease. Follow the instructions that come with the product. Activated charcoal supplements are not intended for regular, long-term use. If you plan to use activated charcoal regularly, speak with your health care provider.

Keep activated charcoal out of the reach of children.

Activated charcoal supplements should be taken on an empty stomach with a full glass of water. Avoid taking activated charcoal within about two hours before or after a meal. You should also avoid taking activated charcoal within about two hours before or after taking any medicines or supplements. See the Interactions section for more details.

Activated charcoal has a gritty texture and may have an unpleasant taste. Some people may have nausea or vomiting after taking activated charcoal, especially the liquid activated charcoal that is given during an emergency. Some activated charcoal dietary supplements are available as capsules, which may help with the texture and taste.

The FDA has not tested activated charcoal dietary supplement products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.

What should I tell my health care provider before using activated charcoal?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know whether activated charcoal is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions.Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

• Slowed stomach emptying (gastroparesis)
• Gut blockage
• Other stomach or gut problems

Malabsorption Syndrome.Activated charcoal can bind to many different substances in your stomach. This prevents your body from absorbing these substances, which may include nutrients. If you regularly use activated charcoal supplements and also have malabsorption syndrome, you may be at a higher risk for nutrient deficiencies over time. Malabsorption means your body is not able to absorb and use the nutrients that you take by mouth or from the foods you eat. Talk with your health care provider before using activated charcoal supplements.

Other Medicines and Supplements.Activated charcoal may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using activated charcoal, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how activated charcoal could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if activated charcoal passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does activated charcoal interact with foods or drinks?

Avoid taking activated charcoal within about two hours before or after eating food. Activated charcoal may bind to important nutrients in your food, such as vitamins and minerals, and prevent your body from absorbing them.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect activated charcoal. Activated charcoal does not bind to alcohol and will not prevent your body from absorbing alcohol, even if you drink too much.

Does activated charcoal interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

Activated charcoal may prevent your body from absorbing many medicines, vitamins, minerals, and supplements. Avoid taking activated charcoal supplements within about two hours before or after taking any of these products. Follow the instructions on the product label or from your health care provider.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with activated charcoal. Always check with your health care provider.

Dosing

What should I do if I accidentally use too much activated charcoal?

If you or someone else has used too much activated charcoal, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of activated charcoal?

During an emergency, activated charcoal is given by a health care provider in a health care facility.

If you are using activated charcoal dietary supplements, read the product label closely and speak with a health care provider about how to use it safely. Do not use the product for longer than recommended on the label. Do not use double or extra doses.