Identification
- Summary
Activated charcoal is a gastric decontamination agent used in emergency clinical settings as a antidote to treat poisonings following excessive oral ingestion of certain medications or poisons.
- Brand Names
- Actidose, Insta-char
- Generic Name
- Activated charcoal
- DrugBank Accession Number
- DB09278
- Background
Activated charcoal, or activated carbon, is an amorphous form of carbon prepared from incomplete combustion of carbonaceous organic matter. It is activated by an oxidizing gas flow at high temperature passed over its surface to make a fine network of pores, producing a material with large surface area and high affinity for various substances. It is used as a gastric decontaminant and emergency medication to treat poisonings following excessive oral ingestion of certain medications or poisons by absorbing most drugs and toxins. However its effects is rendered poor on some compounds including strong acids or bases, methanol and substances with limited absorptive capacity (including iron, lithium, arsenic). It works by binding to the poison in the gastric contents in a reversible fashion thus may be adminstered together with a cathartic to reduce the small intestine transit time. The clinical applications of activated charcoal occured in the early 1800's. While this management for acute poisoning is considered fairly invasive, it is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines that includes the most important medications needed in a basic health system.
- Type
- Small Molecule
- Groups
- Approved
- Structure
Structure for Activated charcoal (DB09278)
- Weight
- Average: 12.011
Monoisotopic: 12.0 - Chemical Formula
- C
- Synonyms
- Activated carbon
- Carbo activates
- Carbo activatus
- Carbo vegetabilis
- Carbon
- Carbón activado
- Carbon, Activated
- Carbon, decolorizing
- carbono
- Charcoal activated
- Charcoal-activated
- Charcoal, Activated
- Charcoal,activated
- Medicinal carbon
- Medicinal charcoal
- External IDs
- AST 120
- AST-120
- GC BM-3
Pharmacology
- Indication
Used as a antidote to treat poisonings following excessive oral ingestion of certain medications or poisons.
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Indication Type Indication Combined Product Details Approval Level Age Group Patient Characteristics Dose Form Used in combination to treat Abdominal cramps Combination Product in combination with: Dimethicone (DB11074) ••• ••• ••••••• Used in combination to treat Aerophagy Combination Product in combination with: Dimethicone (DB11074) ••• ••• ••••••• Used in combination to treat Bloating Combination Product in combination with: Octasulfur (DB09353), Phenolphthalein (DB04824), Rhubarb (DB10651), Sennosides (DB11365) ••• ••• •••••• Used in combination to treat Constipation Combination Product in combination with: Rhubarb (DB10651), Sennosides (DB11365), Octasulfur (DB09353), Phenolphthalein (DB04824) ••• ••• •••••• Used in combination to treat Delayed transit time Combination Product in combination with: Octasulfur (DB09353), Sennosides (DB11365), Rhubarb (DB10651) •••••••••••• •••••• - Contraindications & Blackbox Warnings
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Activated charcoal is used as a gastric decontamination agent in emergency clinical settings in case of poison or medication overdose. Studies show that early administration of one dose of activated charcoal can adsorb poison in the stomach and reduce absorption while it also works long after ingestion, by interruption of enterohepatic and enterovascular cycling of poison.
- Mechanism of action
Active charcoal acts by binding to the pharmaceutical drugs or poisons such as organophosphates and decreasing the systemic absorption of toxic agents. Molecules with large volume of distribution, thus likely having higher lipid solubility, tends to bind have better absorptive binding to activated charcoal. Following the administration of activated charcoal, cathartics are indicated to evacuate the charcoal-poison bonded complex from the gastrointestinal tract. Activated charcoal may also have an effect on systemic drug levels by lowering the serum levels of already absorbed drugs or toxins. Many absorbed drugs that undergo significant hepatic metabolism and conjugation are eliminated via bile into the small intestines. When they reach the small intestines, drug conjugates can undergo hydrolysis and return to the enterohepatic circulation. Activated charcoal interferes with this process and binds to the conjugated drug before hydrolysis or the free deconjugated drug before reabsorption.
- Absorption
No evidence of systemic absorption of activated charcoal
- Volume of distribution
Not Available
- Protein binding
Not Available
- Metabolism
- Not Available
- Route of elimination
Fecal excretion.
- Half-life
Not Available
- Clearance
Not Available
- Adverse Effects
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Adverse effects from the treatment include aspiration into the lungs and possibly pneumonitis, black stools, vomiting, and constipation or diarrhea. The oral LD50 value in rats is 15400mg/kg.
- Pathways
- Not Available
- Pharmacogenomic Effects/ADRs Browse all" title="About SNP Mediated Effects/ADRs" id="snp-actions-info" class="drug-info-popup" href="javascript:void(0);">
- Not Available
Interactions
- Drug Interactions Learn More" title="About Drug Interactions" id="structured-interactions-info" class="drug-info-popup" href="javascript:void(0);">
- This information should not be interpreted without the help of a healthcare provider. If you believe you are experiencing an interaction, contact a healthcare provider immediately. The absence of an interaction does not necessarily mean no interactions exist.
Drug Interaction Integrate drug-drug
interactions in your softwareDigoxin Activated charcoal may increase the excretion rate of Digoxin which could result in a lower serum level and potentially a reduction in efficacy. Leflunomide Activated charcoal can cause a decrease in the absorption of Leflunomide resulting in a reduced serum concentration and potentially a decrease in efficacy. Olanzapine The serum concentration of Olanzapine can be decreased when it is combined with Activated charcoal. Teriflunomide Activated charcoal can cause a decrease in the absorption of Teriflunomide resulting in a reduced serum concentration and potentially a decrease in efficacy. - Food Interactions
- Take with or without food. Give a higher dose of activated charcoal if it is administered after a large meal.
Products
Drug product information from 10+ global regionsOur datasets provide approved product information including:dosage, form, labeller, route of administration, and marketing period.Access drug product information from over 10 global regions.- Brand Name Prescription Products
Name Dosage Strength Route Labeller Marketing Start Marketing End Region Image Actidose Suspension 208 mg/1mL Oral Padagis US LLC 1983-10-01 2022-01-31 US 
Actidose Aqua Suspension 208 mg/1mL Oral Padagis US LLC 1984-01-01 2022-12-31 US Activated Charcoal Suspension 208 mg/1mL Oral HF Acquisition Co LLC, DBA HealthFirst 2018-12-22 Not applicable US Char-flo Aqueous Base - Sus Orl 208mg/ml Suspension 208 mg / mL Oral Ballard Medical Products 1997-08-20 2004-08-04 Canada 
Charcodote-aqueous Sus 200mg/ml Suspension 200 mg / mL Oral Pharmascience Inc 1997-03-17 2019-01-17 Canada - Over the Counter Products
Name Dosage Strength Route Labeller Marketing Start Marketing End Region Image Actidose Suspension 208 mg/1mL Oral Padagis US LLC 2020-12-05 Not applicable US Actidose Aqua Suspension 208 mg/1mL Oral Padagis US LLC 2020-11-10 Not applicable US Activated Charcoal Capsule 225 mg Oral Laboratoire Leo Desilets M.H. Inc 1998-10-07 Not applicable Canada Activated Charcoal Capsule 225 mg Oral Jamp Pharma Corporation Not applicable Not applicable Canada Activated Charcoal 260mg Capsule 260 mg Oral Exzell Pharma Inc 1998-12-07 Not applicable Canada - Mixture Products
Name Ingredients Dosage Route Labeller Marketing Start Marketing End Region Image CARBON COMPOUND TABLET Activated charcoal (100 mg) + Belladonna (6 mg) + Magnesium hydroxide (100 mg) Tablet Oral BLENDFORTE TRADING COMPANY 1991-10-21 Not applicable Singapore 
Carbosylane Activated charcoal (140 mg) + Dimethicone (45 mg) Capsule Oral Laboratoires Grimberg 1990-12-31 Not applicable Canada Char-flo With Sorbitol - Sus Activated charcoal (208 mg / mL) + Sorbitol (400 mg / mL) Suspension Oral Ballard Medical Products 1997-08-20 2004-08-04 Canada Derma Charcoal Mask Activated charcoal (75 mg/75g) + Dexpanthenol (15 mg/75g) + Jojoba oil (15 mg/75g) Gel Topical Pella Pharmaceuticals Co .Ltd 2020-12-03 Not applicable US EUCARBON TABLET Activated charcoal (180 mg) + Octasulfur (50 mg) + Rhubarb (25 mg) + Senna leaf (105 mg) Tablet Oral ANTAH PHARMA SDN. BHD. 2020-09-08 Not applicable Malaysia 
- Unapproved/Other Products
Name Ingredients Dosage Route Labeller Marketing Start Marketing End Region Image Actidose Activated charcoal (208 mg/1mL) Suspension Oral Padagis US LLC 1983-10-01 2022-01-31 US Actidose Aqua Activated charcoal (208 mg/1mL) Suspension Oral Padagis US LLC 1984-01-01 2022-12-31 US Activated Charcoal Activated charcoal (208 mg/1mL) Suspension Oral HF Acquisition Co LLC, DBA HealthFirst 2018-12-22 Not applicable US AQUA-CARBO 50 G/240 ML KULLANIMA HAZIR SULU AKTIF KARBON ICEREN SUSPANSIYON Activated charcoal (50 g/240ml) Suspension Oral AVİCENNA FARMA DIŞ TİC. VE PAZ. A.Ş. 2016-02-02 2024-01-23 Turkey 
Charcoal Activated Activated charcoal (1000 mg/1g) Powder Oral Woodward Pharma Services Llc 2018-06-01 Not applicable US
Categories
- ATC Codes
- A07BA51 — Medicinal charcoal, combinations
- A07BA — Charcoal preparations
- A07B — INTESTINAL ADSORBENTS
- A07 — ANTIDIARRHEALS, INTESTINAL ANTIINFLAMMATORY/ANTIINFECTIVE AGENTS
- A — ALIMENTARY TRACT AND METABOLISM
- Drug Categories
- Adsorption
- Alimentary Tract and Metabolism
- Anions
- Antacids and Adsorbents
- Antidiarrheals, Intestinal Antiinflammatory/antiinfective Agents
- Antidotes
- Antifoaming Agents
- Carbon
- Charcoal Preparations
- Compounds used in a research, industrial, or household setting
- Electrolytes
- Elements
- Intestinal Adsorbents
- Ions
- Microspheres
- Oxygen Compounds
- Protective Agents
- Chemical TaxonomyProvided by Classyfire
- Description
- This compound belongs to the class of organic compounds known as organic compounds. These are compounds that contain at least one carbon atom, excluding isocyanide/cyanide and their non-hydrocarbyl derivatives, thiophosgene, carbon diselenide, carbon monosulfide, carbon disulfide, carbon subsulfide, carbon monoxide, carbon trioxide, carbon suboxide, and dicarbon monoxide.
- Kingdom
- Organic compounds
- Super Class
- Not Available
- Class
- Not Available
- Sub Class
- Not Available
- Direct Parent
- Organic compounds
- Alternative Parents
- Not Available
- Substituents
- Aliphatic acyclic compound / Organic compound
- Molecular Framework
- Aliphatic acyclic compounds
- External Descriptors
- nonmetal atom, carbon group element atom (CHEBI:27594)
- Affected organisms
- Humans and other mammals
Chemical Identifiers
- UNII
- 2P3VWU3H10
- CAS number
- 64365-11-3
- InChI Key
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N
- InChI
- InChI=1S/C
- IUPAC Name
- carbon
- SMILES
- [C]
References
- General References
- Shimoishi K, Anraku M, Kitamura K, Tasaki Y, Taguchi K, Hashimoto M, Fukunaga E, Maruyama T, Otagiri M: An oral adsorbent, AST-120 protects against the progression of oxidative stress by reducing the accumulation of indoxyl sulfate in the systemic circulation in renal failure. Pharm Res. 2007 Jul;24(7):1283-9. Epub 2007 Mar 27. [Article]
- Eddleston M, Juszczak E, Buckley NA, Senarathna L, Mohamed F, Dissanayake W, Hittarage A, Azher S, Jeganathan K, Jayamanne S, Sheriff MR, Warrell DA: Multiple-dose activated charcoal in acute self-poisoning: a randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2008 Feb 16;371(9612):579-87. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(08)60270-6. [Article]
- Zawahir S, Gawarammana I, Dargan PI, Abdulghni M, Dawson AH: Activated charcoal significantly reduces the amount of colchicine released from Gloriosa superba in simulated gastric and intestinal media. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2017 May 23:1-5. doi: 10.1080/15563650.2017.1325897. [Article]
- Ronowicz J, Kupcewicz B, Palkowski L, Krysinski J: Development and optimization of the activated charcoal suspension composition based on a mixture design approach. Acta Pharm. 2015 Mar;65(1):83-90. doi: 10.1515/acph-2015-0005. [Article]
- Moon J, Chun B, Song K: An exploratory study; the therapeutic effects of premixed activated charcoal-sorbitol administration in patients poisoned with organophosphate pesticide. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2015 Feb;53(2):119-26. doi: 10.3109/15563650.2014.1001516. Epub 2015 Jan 22. [Article]
- Yousefi G, Bizhani M, Jamshidzadeh A, Gholamzadeh S: Comparison of activated charcoal and sodium polystyrene sulfonate resin efficiency on reduction of amitriptyline oral absorption in rat as treatments for overdose and toxicities. Iran J Basic Med Sci. 2017 Jan;20(1):46-52. doi: 10.22038/ijbms.2017.8092. [Article]
- Derlet RW, Albertson TE: Activated charcoal--past, present and future. West J Med. 1986 Oct;145(4):493-6. [Article]
- Spector R, Park GD: New roles for activated charcoal. West J Med. 1986 Oct;145(4):511-2. [Article]
- Guss DA: Emergency medicine: activated charcoal-the first-line agent in cases of overdose. West J Med. 1989 Jul;151(1):63. [Article]
- Neuvonen PJ: Clinical pharmacokinetics of oral activated charcoal in acute intoxications. Clin Pharmacokinet. 1982 Nov-Dec;7(6):465-89. [Article]
- World Health Organization Model List of Essential Medicines (19th List) [Link]
- World Health Organization Model Formulary2008 [Link]
- External Links
- KEGG Drug
- D03251
- PubChem Compound
- 297
- PubChem Substance
- 347827832
- ChemSpider
- 4575370
- 272
- ChEBI
- 27594
- ChEMBL
- CHEMBL2106049
- Wikipedia
- Activated_charcoal_(medication)
- MSDS
- Download (52.3 KB)
Clinical Trials
- Clinical Trials Learn More" title="About Clinical Trials" id="clinical-trials-info" class="drug-info-popup" href="javascript:void(0);">
Phase Status Purpose Conditions Count 4 Completed Treatment AST-120 / Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) 1 4 Completed Treatment Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) 1 4 Completed Treatment Loss of Solute Clearance 1 4 Completed Treatment Overdose 1 4 Completed Treatment Uremic Pruritus 1
Pharmacoeconomics
- Manufacturers
- Not Available
- Packagers
- Not Available
- Dosage Forms
Form Route Strength Suspension Oral 208 mg/1mL Capsule Oral 225 mg Capsule Oral 280 mg / cap Capsule Oral 250 mg Powder, for solution Oral 1 g / 1 g Powder Oral 100 % Capsule Oral 170 mg Tablet Oral 0.25 g Tablet Oral 300 mg Tablet Oral 500 mg Tablet Oral 6 mg Capsule Oral Capsule Oral Suspension Oral 208 mg / mL Suspension Oral Suspension Oral 222 mg / mL Suspension Oral 50 g / 225 mL Suspension Oral 200 mg / mL Suspension Oral 50 g / 250 mL Tablet Oral 230 mg Capsule Oral 162 mg Powder Oral 1000 mg/1g Tablet Oral 200 mg Suspension Oral 200 mg/ml Gel Topical Tablet Oral Pellet Oral 25 g/25g Powder Oral 100.000 g Liquid Oral 50 g / 250 mL Liquid Oral 15 g / 120 mL Suspension Oral 50 g/240mL Tablet, coated Oral Capsule, coated Oral Soap Topical Tablet Oral 250.00 mg Capsule Oral 280 mg Capsule Oral 200 mg Granule, for suspension Oral 50 g Granule Oral 5 g Tablet Oral 125 mg Tablet Oral 150 mg Suspension Oral 20 g Liquid Oral Tablet Oral Gel Topical 2 g/100mL Capsule Oral 260 mg Tablet Oral 250 mg Tablet Oral 325 mg Tablet - Prices
- Not Available
- Patents
- Not Available
Properties
- State
- Solid
- Experimental Properties
Property Value Source water solubility Insoluble MSDS - Predicted Properties
Property Value Source Water Solubility 0.0 mg/mL ALOGPS logP -1.3 ALOGPS logP 0 Chemaxon logS 1.08 ALOGPS Physiological Charge 0 Chemaxon Hydrogen Acceptor Count 0 Chemaxon Hydrogen Donor Count 0 Chemaxon Polar Surface Area 0 Å2 Chemaxon Rotatable Bond Count 0 Chemaxon Refractivity 13.11 m3·mol-1 Chemaxon Polarizability 1.51 Å3 Chemaxon Number of Rings 0 Chemaxon Bioavailability 1 Chemaxon Rule of Five Yes Chemaxon Ghose Filter No Chemaxon Veber's Rule Yes Chemaxon MDDR-like Rule No Chemaxon - Predicted ADMET Features
- Not Available
Spectra
- Mass Spec (NIST)
- Not Available
- Spectra
- Chromatographic Properties
Collision Cross Sections (CCS)
Adduct CCS Value (Å2) Source type Source [M-H]- 109.33826 predictedDeepCCS 1.0 (2019) [M+H]+ 111.11545 predictedDeepCCS 1.0 (2019) [M+Na]+ 117.95068 predictedDeepCCS 1.0 (2019)
Drug created at October 29, 2015 14:53 / Updated at February 20, 2024 23:55