Activated carbon: instructions for use. Activated carbon - instructions for use, indications, release form and price

Activated carbon (Carboactivatus) is a drug from the group of sorbents used to evacuate toxic compounds from the body.

They are formed as a result of pathologies of internal organs or are the result of exposure to external harmful factors. The drug is indicated for use in pharmaceutical, food, alcohol, and chemical poisoning; intestinal infections; allergic conditions; dyspeptic phenomena.

When used simultaneously with contraception

you are of hormonal origin, deactivates their properties. This can lead to unplanned conception. Weakens the effect of all drugs, slows down their absorption.

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The ability of coal to purify various liquid media has been known since antiquity. Even in ancient times, charcoal was used to purify liquids - water, wine. Wood ash was used in the process of washing contaminated laundry.

Around the same time, charcoal was used for various poisonings. The effect of coal as an antidote (antidote) was confirmed during the subsequent development of chemistry as a science.

Some scientists have proven this experimentally, and the experiments were sometimes carried out on themselves. Thus, one chemist ingested several grams of arsenic trioxide, a strong poison, after mixing it with charcoal. There was no poisoning.

The first industrial batch of powdered activated carbon was produced in Europe in 1909. Later, the ability of coal to absorb chemical compounds not only from liquid but also from gaseous media was discovered.

This has found application in the manufacture of personal protective equipment - gas masks. Beginning in the 20th century, when the pharmaceutical industry began to experience a rapid rise and many other drugs appeared, interest in coal subsided a little. However, in the second half of the twentieth century. The problem of industrial and household pollution of water, air, and food products has become acute. And therefore, the use of various sorbents, including activated carbon, has become relevant again.

Indications for use

Activated carbon is a universal remedy for detoxification - the removal of exogenous poisons coming from the outside, and endogenous ones formed in the body during various diseases and pathological processes.

Among the variety of indications for taking coal:

• Poisoning with salts of heavy metals;
• Drug poisoning;
• Various intestinal infections, incl. dysentery, salmonellosis;
• Other types of severe bacterial and viral infections;
• Allergic reactions to insect bites, household substances, medications, food ingredients;
• Food poisoning;
• Food poisoning;
• Bronchial asthma;
• Liver cirrhosis, liver failure;
• Consequences of radiation and chemotherapy for cancer;
• Massive injuries and burns;
• Dyspeptic (digestive) disorders in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract - stomach, intestines.

In all these pathological conditions, activated carbon acts as a universal antidote (antidote). Due to the fact that activated carbon prevents gas formation, it is recommended before X-ray examinations of the intestines.

Certain types of activated carbon are used to disinfect water. It is also used for hemocarboperfusion or hemosorption - hardware blood purification.

Mechanism of action

The action of activated carbon is based on sorption or adsorption - increasing the concentration at the interface of media with subsequent extraction and absorption of chemical compounds.

When taken orally, activated carbon acts as an intestinal sorbent (enterosorbent). At the same time, the components of activated carbon themselves are not absorbed by the intestinal mucosa. Thanks to these properties, activated carbon, along with associated toxins, is eliminated through the intestines.

Coal owes its sorption properties to the porous structure of the particles. Due to the large number of pores and their small sizes, the surface area of ​​activated carbon increases dramatically. So the area of ​​1 g of this drug can be from 5000 to 1500 m2.

Adsorption of substances occurs due to ionic, intermolecular, and hydrogen bonds. The sorption capacity of coal for different substances is not the same. It adsorbs most medications well, in particular glycosides, antidepressants, barbiturates, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

It is also effective against many plant and microbial toxins, organic and inorganic compounds - salts of heavy metals, phenol, and some acids.

However, not all acids and alkalis are adsorbed equally well by activated carbon. For example, dissociating salts (with easily disintegrating molecules), such as sodium and potassium chlorides, are practically not adsorbed by coal. At the same time, non-dissociating salts are adsorbed well by carbon.

Coal is also not effective against caustic, strong acids and alkalis. It does not sorb some metals, in particular iron, lithium, potassium, magnesium, sodium. The effectiveness of coal against alcohols is debatable.

There is evidence that activated carbon poorly adsorbs alcohols (methanol, ethanol). Therefore, it is hardly suitable as a treatment for alcohol intoxication.

Although, in addition to alcohol, other compounds are also to blame for alcohol intoxication - fusel oils, acetaldehyde (an intermediate product of the breakdown of ethanol). This is where activated carbon can be very useful. Hence the ambiguity of opinions.

Pharmacodynamics

The effect of coal begins immediately, after 1-2 minutes. after taking it, and reaches a peak value after about 15-20 minutes. The effectiveness of activated carbon is characterized by the main quantities: adsorption capacity and adsorption intensity.

The intensity of adsorption is influenced by the external size of activated carbon particles - the smaller it is, the faster the process proceeds. The intensity of adsorption directly depends on the internal volume, determined by the number of pores.

In addition, the effectiveness of sorption depends on the time elapsed from the start of the poison until the drug is taken. The more time passes, the worse the process progresses.

Another factor is the accompanying meal. If the toxin is taken on an empty stomach, then it is easier to remove it, while food intake reduces the sorption capacity of coal (food ingredients are also adsorbed). This requires an increase in the dosage of the drug.

Some toxins can be desorbed (released after binding by carbon), which also requires an additional increase in doses taken. Desorption is largely due to the change from the acidic environment of the stomach to the alkaline environment of the intestines.

Production

Chemically, activated carbon is amorphous carbon without a clear structure, practically free of impurities. The raw materials for the production of activated carbon can be various carbon-containing products: wood, coke, oil, nut shells and fruit seeds.

The type of raw material is indicated by the marking: DAK, OU, BAU coals are made from charcoal, AG - from coal coke, PCG - from petroleum products.

Coal production takes place in two stages. The first is carbonization, or pyrolysis. Its essence is firing - heating raw materials, previously crushed to particle sizes of no more than 3-5 cm, in special ovens at high temperatures without air access.

During carbonization, volatile substances are removed from the raw material. The result is porous coals. However, the sorption activity of these coals is low due to the fact that many pores are closed and the particle area is small.

Therefore, we move on to the next stage – activation. Activation can be carried out thermochemically or by steam. During thermochemical activation, coal is impregnated with solutions of zinc chloride or potassium carbonate and then heated. Steam activation is carried out under the influence of a mixture of water vapor and carbon dioxide heated to 700-900 0 C.

The latter method is more preferable, because allows you to obtain pores of various linear sizes: macropores (100-200 nm), mesopores (1.5-100 nm), micropores (0.6-1.5 nm), and supermicropores (less than 0.6 nm). The resulting activated material is crushed, dried, and packaged into the required forms.

Adsorption of some chemicals (formaldehyde, hydrogen sulfide, mercury vapor, and other inorganic chemical compounds) is possible only through chemisorption - the interaction of the molecules of these compounds with the components of coal.

In this case, stable compounds are formed that are not subject to desorption. However, activated carbon is quite inert chemically.

To make chemisorption possible, activated carbon is impregnated (soaked) with inorganic acids and silver compounds. Such coal is used not only for medical purposes, but also for air purification, industrial wastewater, and as a consumable material for gas masks.

Release form and manufacturers

Activated carbon under the same name or under the names Karbopek, Karbolong, Karbaktin, Microsorb is produced by various Russian companies in the form of powder and granules packaged in bags, tablets weighing 250 and 500 mg, capsules.

In addition to Russian drugs, you can also find foreign ones:

• Actisorb,
• Ultra-Adsorb,
• Farmokol,
• Leokol,
• Formocarbin, and many others.

After all, activated carbon is used almost all over the world as a detoxifying agent. In addition, activated carbon, along with bile components, nettle and garlic extracts, is part of the Russian choleretic tablets Allohol.

There is no fundamental difference in the use of Russian and foreign drugs. All coals act the same - of course, if they are made in compliance with all technologies. Our producers produce coal of acceptable quality, and there is no need to waste money on imported products.

Spherical carbonite, or SKN activated carbon, deserves special attention. Thanks to the large number of pores, a large area of ​​spherical granules is achieved, and, consequently, their high sorption activity and capacity. SKN coals can be used not only for enterosorption, but also for hemosorption.

Dosage

A single dose of activated carbon is 3-4 g, which in terms of tablets weighing 0.5 g is 1 tablet per 10 kg of body weight. It is advisable to crush the tablets (this increases the total area of ​​coal particles) and dissolve them in water.

An aqueous solution of tablets can be added to the tube during gastric lavage, carried out during detoxification measures for poisoning. Granular and powdered carbon are also dissolved.

The contents of 1 packet (10 g) are taken 3 times a day. In case of severe poisoning, the dose is selected individually and can be increased. Given the weakening of the detoxifying effect of charcoal over time, it should be taken as early as possible. With food poisoning, and even with some injection poisoning, toxins may re-enter the intestines from the blood.

In these cases, the use of activated carbon in combination with other detoxification measures can be extended for several days. Both powder, granules, and tablets are taken 2 hours before meals, or 2 hours after.

Otherwise, the absorption of food ingredients is impaired. While taking activated carbon, you should refrain from eating hard-to-digest foods, alcohol, carbonated drinks, and animal fats.

Side effects

Dyspeptic symptoms are possible - constipation, diarrhea. Feces are often black in color. Long-term use of activated charcoal can impair the absorption of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.

For this reason, the use of activated carbon for periodic bowel cleansing and weight loss is not justified.

After all, the fight against excess weight involves the entry into the body of everything that is necessary for a full metabolism. Hemocarboperfusion is fraught with anemia due to the mechanical destruction of red blood cells as they pass through coals.

Another complication is microembolism of blood vessels with tiny particles of sorbent. The development of qualitatively new grades of coals for hemosorption has made it possible to reduce these side effects to a minimum.

Using activated carbon, one can note the specific pigmentation of feces - feces are colored black. The drug impairs the quality of breast milk, so it is not taken during lactation.

Long-term use of sorbent leads to vitamin deficiency and mineral deficiency in the body. Using an adsorbent without obvious indications can lead to the development of constipation or diarrhea.

Activated carbon is produced in the form of tablets, capsules, and powder. The correct dosage of the drug is 1 tablet for every 10 kg of the patient’s weight. 1 tablet is equal to 4 g of active ingredient. For better absorption of the active components, the drug must be crushed (even granulated). If a bag of sorbent contains 10 g, you need to take the product three times a day, after dissolving it in water.

The benefits of the drug are explained by its composition: it contains starch and black salt - it is produced in production. The suspension contains a high concentration of mineral components, which ensures rapid evacuation of harmful substances and the onset of recovery. It is rare that sugar is included in the adsorbent instead of black salt.

This reduces the basic properties of coal. In the presence of black salt, the effect of the drug begins within 2 minutes after administration. When sugar is present in the sorbent, there is a delay of up to 20 minutes. Evacuation of toxic substances proceeds better if the drug is taken on an empty stomach.

Contraindications

Contraindications to the use of activated charcoal are: peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum in the acute stage, as well as gastrointestinal bleeding.

Drug interactions

Being an enterosorbent, activated carbon inhibits the absorption of other drugs in the gastrointestinal tract. For this reason, the effect of these drugs when taken simultaneously with activated carbon may be weakened.

The effect of other detoxifying agents, which act after absorption into the blood, is weakened. Taking oral contraceptives in combination with activated charcoal can lead to unwanted pregnancy. Therefore, several hours should pass between taking activated carbon and other drugs.

Storage

The drug is available without a prescription. Stored in a dry place.

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How does activated carbon work? | Translation by DeeAFilm

How should you take activated carbon?

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One of the most necessary medicines in every first aid kit is activated carbon. The use of activated carbon is not limited to food poisoning; this remedy will come to the rescue in other situations.

What is activated carbon 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 for:

• Food poisoning
• Ingestion of heavy metal salts into the body
• Dysentery
• Cholera
• Typhoid fever
• Gastritis
• Colitis
• Increased stomach acidity
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

What is activated carbon?

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

The pores make it possible to significantly increase the suction surface of the sorbent. Crushed tablets (powder) have even greater absorption capacity, therefore, for a greater and faster effect, it is recommended to crush and chew the tablets before use.

Help with poisoning

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

At the first signs of ill health, you need to take 6-8 tablets of activated carbon, washing them down with enough water. The crushed tablets can be mixed in a glass of water and drunk. Considering that charcoal does not dissolve in water, the resulting suspension must be shaken thoroughly before use.

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

In case of acute intoxication, first cleanse the stomach with charcoal diluted in water (10-20 g of charcoal per 0.1 liter of water), and then give the patient 6-8 tablets.

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, turning the stool 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 to reduce the damage caused to the body.

In case of severe vomiting, you must first take antiemetic drugs, and only then take activated charcoal.

Intestinal problems

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

The causes of intestinal dysfunction are:

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

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

• At the initial stage, it is enough to take the drug in the morning and evening, 2 tablets per dose;
• Constipation or diarrhea lasting more than two days is treated according to the regimen of 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 treatment at home does not bring results, you must seek qualified medical help. Prolonged diarrhea threatens serious dehydration and further deterioration of the condition.

However, if constipation is caused by an atonic state of the intestines, there is a suspicion of intestinal obstruction, rectal bleeding; if the ulcer worsens, you should not drink activated charcoal.

Coal adsorbs gases, toxins, and waste products, thus cleansing the intestines.

Additionally, you can carry out several cleansing courses by taking charcoal three times a day before meals, the dosage is 1 tablet for every 10 kilos of body weight. Course duration is 1-2 weeks.

Relieve allergies

If you have a food allergy, taking activated charcoal will speed up the removal of the allergen from the body. The standard regimen 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 carbon is a drug for weight loss. In some cases, it helps to lose weight by cleansing the intestines, but you should not get carried away with such weight loss methods.

When taking activated carbon, it is necessary to provide the body with vitamins and minerals, since carbon 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.

One cannot expect a quick and noticeable effect for weight loss from coal. It is used in combination with a low-calorie diet and active physical activity (gym, gym, swimming pool, fitness).

For pregnant and lactating women

Activated carbon 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 that can pass through the placental barrier to the fetus or through breast milk during feeding. The drug acts locally in the intestines and is excreted from the body through the digestive tract.

Due to the hormonal changes that occur in a woman’s body in the first trimester, many people experience irregular bowel movements, constipation, increased gas formation, and intestinal colic. Activated carbon will overcome all these problems. Additionally, it will reduce the acidity of the stomach and relieve heartburn, which also appears quite often at this time.

To solve “digestive” problems, you should take 2-3 tablets 2 hours after meals. It is important to remember that coal also removes beneficial substances from the intestines, which the expectant mother needs doubly. 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 to 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 available in the form of ready-made powder, paste - forms that are more convenient for treating children.

Activated carbon is prescribed to newborn children as part of complex therapy for the treatment of neonatal jaundice. Moms should not be afraid, coal will not cause any harm. Parents should remember that thanks to coal, the feces will be black and this is absolutely natural.

Hollywood smile

The use of activated carbon for teeth whitening is popular. Numerous tests have proven that regularly brushing your teeth with charcoal powder helps make them noticeably whiter. This fact cannot but arouse enthusiasm, since the drug is cheap and accessible to everyone, and the effect is promised to be stunning.

However, before you begin whitening, 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. These substances are partially 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 an abrasive - it removes food debris from the teeth mechanically, leaving scratches on the enamel that are invisible for the time being. Constant dental treatment can lead to serious dental problems, so you should not overdo it.

Radiant facial skin

Activated carbon is included in face masks. It absorbs substances that clog pores, opening them, reduces skin oiliness, and fights inflammation.

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

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

• The mask for blackheads includes a crushed activated carbon 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.
• A mask made from charcoal (1 tablet), yogurt without additives and dyes (2 tsp) and lemon juice (1 tsp) will help to give it a healthy look and cleanse it.
• We recommend a mask of charcoal (2 tablets), aloe juice (1 tsp) and sea salt (½ tsp). You can add 2 drops of tea tree oil to the mixture, which has a pronounced antiseptic effect.
• In the absence of additional ingredients, crushed tablets are mixed with warm water or milk until pasty and applied to the face.

In addition to black, pharmacies sell a drug called “White Coal”. A marketing ploy designed to attract attention to a new drug and increase sales. The medicine based on cellulose and silicon oxide has a high adsorption capacity, and accordingly the dosage is several times lower.

The drug improves intestinal motility and does not cause constipation. However, this medicine is not recommended for children.

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, specialized stores sell a substance intended for water purification with the same name.

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

Russian name

Latin name of the substance: Activated carbon

Pharmacological group of the substance Activated carbon

Nosological classification (ICD-10)

CAS code

Characteristics of the substance Activated carbon

Black powder, odorless and tasteless. Practically insoluble in common solvents.

Pharmacology