What are charcoal tablets for? The use and purpose of this tool will be described in this article. We will also talk about the properties of the mentioned drug, its side effects and contraindications.
Composition, packaging
Charcoal tablets contain animal or vegetable charcoal that has been specially processed. Usually this tool is available in 0.5 and 0.25 g in cell or paper packs.
Basic information and analogues
Charcoal tablets are an adsorbent, a detoxifying agent. Most often, they use a drug called "Activated charcoal". This is the most affordable enterosorbent used to cleanse the body of toxins, allergens and toxins. Also, the remedy in question is widely used for weight loss (as an adjuvant) and in the treatment of skin and intestinal diseases.
In addition to activated charcoal, drugs such as Carbactin, bird cherry fruits, Carbopekt, Microsorb-P, Karbosorb, Ultra-Adsorb, Lopedium, have similar effects. Sorbeks", magnesium peroxide, "Stoperan".
Drug action
How they workon the human body charcoal tablets? The instruction attached to this remedy claims that it is an antidiarrheal, detoxifying and adsorbing drug with high surface activity. After taking this medication, substances are bound in the human body that lower surface energy without any changes in their chemical nature.
According to experts, charcoal tablets adsorb a number of compounds such as barbiturates, alkaloids, gases, salicylates, glycosides, toxins and s alts of heavy metals. Doctors say that under the influence of this drug, the absorption of these substances in the gastrointestinal tract is significantly reduced, and their excretion from the body along with feces is also simplified.
Features of the medication
Charcoal tablets for cleansing the body are also active in hemoperfusion. They exhibit poor adsorption to alkalis and acids, including iron, malathion, cyanide, methanol, and ethylene glycol.
This medication does not irritate the mucous membranes of internal organs, and in the case of topical application, it significantly accelerates the healing of wounds and ulcers.
To achieve maximum therapeutic effect, charcoal tablets are recommended to be taken within the first few hours or immediately after poisoning.
In the process of intoxication therapy, it is necessary to create an excess of coal in the stomach (right before washing it) and intestines (after direct gastric lavage). It should also be noted that high dosages of this drug are required,if there are food masses in the digestive system. Thus, they will be sorbed by carbon, which will prevent their further absorption.
Low concentration of the drug in question leads to absorption and desorption of the bound substance. At the same time, repeated gastric lavage, as well as the appointment of coal, prevents the resorption of released toxins.
If a person's poisoning was provoked by substances that are actively involved in the enterohepatic circulation (for example, drugs such as Indomethacin, cardiac glycosides, Morphine and other opiates), then the tablets must be taken continuously for several days.
Special effectiveness of the adsorbent in question is observed during hemoperfusion after acute poisoning with Glutethimide, Theophylline or barbiturates.
Indications for taking coal
How to drink charcoal cleansing tablets, we will tell a little below.
The following conditions are considered indications for the use of this medicinal product:
- dyspepsia;
- diarrhea;
- dysentery;
- cirrhosis of the liver;
- flatulence and other processes of fermentation and putrefaction in the intestines;
- foodborne illness;
- hypersecretion of gastric juice;
- allergic reactions;
- acute poisoning, including alkaloids and glycosides;
- poisoning with s alts of heavy metals;
- bronchialasthma;
- salmonellosis;
- viral hepatitis chronic and acute;
- burn disease in the stage of septicotoxemia and toxemia;
- chronic kidney failure;
- atopic dermatitis.
It should also be noted that activated charcoal tablets are often prescribed to reduce gas formation in the intestines, in preparation for x-rays and ultrasounds. In addition, they can be used for weight loss as an additional tool, but only after consulting a specialist and choosing an adequate diet.
Prohibited appointments
Before you drink coal tablets, you should definitely familiarize yourself with their contraindications for use. The medication in question must not be used in the following cases:
- with high individual sensitivity to coal;
- with peptic ulcer of the gastrointestinal tract;
- for bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract;
- for ulcerative colitis;
- with intestinal atony;
- while taking antitoxic drugs, the action of which begins only after absorption.
Charcoal tablets: instructions for use
Activated charcoal tablets or an aqueous suspension made from them should be taken orally 65 minutes before meals or other medications.
To get the necessary suspension, the right amount of the drug is thoroughly dissolved in half a glass of plain water.
The average daily dosage of this drug for adults is approximately 1-2 g, while the maximum varies between 7-8 g.
To calculate the required dose for a child, his body weight should be taken into account. The standard calculation of this medication is as follows: 0.05 g / kg three times a day, but not more than 0.2 mg / kg at a time.
In acute diseases, the course of treatment with the agent in question should last about 3-5 days, and in chronic or allergic diseases - up to two weeks. After 14 days, charcoal therapy can be repeated, but only on the recommendation of a doctor.
When flatulence or dyspepsia develops, activated charcoal should be taken orally 1-2 g four times a day for one week.
A suspension made from the drug in question is usually used for gastric lavage, including in cases of severe poisoning. In this case, the finished solution is drunk for 30-35 g.
With increased secretion of gastric juice, adult patients are prescribed 10 g of the drug three times a day between meals. Babies under 7 years old are given 5 g of medication, and children 7-14 years old - 7 g at a time. The course of such therapy should last at least 1-2 weeks.
Side effects after taking activated charcoal
According to the attached instructions, the side effects of this drug can be such phenomena as:
- dyspepsia;
- constipation;
- hemorrhage;
- diarrhea;
- hypoglycemia;
- black chair color;
- hypothermia;
- embolism;
- hypocalcemia;
- decrease in blood pressure.
It cannot be said that long-term use of a sorbent agent can lead to impaired absorption of proteins, Ca, fats, various vitamins, nutrients and hormones. Therefore, the drug in question should be taken strictly according to the indications and prescription of the attending doctor.
Interaction with other drugs
According to experts, activated charcoal, as well as other sorbent preparations, can significantly impair the absorption and effectiveness of drugs that are taken in parallel. In addition, this drug reduces the activity of components that act directly inside the stomach.
Conditions for the purchase and storage of the medication
The instructions clearly state that activated carbon must be kept only in a dry place and separately from those substances that emit various gases and vapors. Storage of this medication in the open air and in a humid environment significantly reduces its sorption capacity. This remedy is released in pharmacies without a doctor's prescription.
Is it possible to cleanse the body with coal
As mentioned above, activated charcoal is a detoxifying and adsorbing drug. Thus, its use is able to bind and remove all harmful substances from the body. No wonder this drug is used during weight loss. It eliminates those elements that disrupt the normal metabolism, helps to cleanse the body andfurther weight loss.
