How it works
Activated carbon itself is a sorbent. It is safe to use, cheap and non-addictive. Its composition is natural, as it is made from charcoal. There are many micro- and macropores on its surface, which allows coal to absorb molecules of various sizes.
When used internally, coal absorbs toxins, poisons, bacteria and ballast substances, and is then eliminated from the body along with them. The intestines are freed from unwanted cargo, excess gases leave it, and the walls are cleansed. This allows you to activate digestion processes. The general condition improves, chronic or acute intoxication is reduced or eliminated.
How long does it take for the drug to work?
The time for the drug to take effect depends on:
- purposes of application;
- age (ill adult or child);
- general condition of the body;
- causes of discomfort.
If the desired result is cleansing the body of harmful toxins and accumulated toxins, a noticeable effect is noticeable after 2-3 minutes. To eliminate the causes of poisoning, the laxative effect of the drug is activated after 10-15 minutes.
There are several ways to speed up the onset of action of the drug:
- Grind and dissolve several tablets of activated carbon in water to rinse the stomach.
- Grind a single dose and dissolve it in water and drink it.
- Drink plenty of water.
The medicine helps for 5-6 hours, after which it is eliminated from the body and stops working.
Treatment of constipation
Activated carbon for constipation is not considered by specialists to be the main drugs. It only acts as an aid to eliminate the consequences caused by disruption of the passage of the bolus of food, and then feces, through the intestinal loops.
For what constipation should it be used?
A sorbent of this kind is prescribed by a specialist in the complex treatment of constipation if it has a functional origin. Coal successfully helps cope with dyspeptic symptoms during exacerbation of diseases of the digestive system. The drug plays an important role in cases of poisoning or an infectious process in the intestines, as it relieves intoxication.
Activated carbon for constipation is used in the following situations:
- with severe fermentation and bloating due to flatulence;
- allergic reaction in the gastrointestinal tract to certain types of products;
- chronic pancreatitis;
- drug and alcohol intoxication;
- inhibition of liver function as a result of liver damage;
- gastritis and mild peptic ulcer.
Contraindications and side effects from taking activated carbon
Activated charcoal does not help everyone with constipation. Its effectiveness depends on the individual characteristics of the body. For example, if a person has problems with the absorption of substances, he suffers from a lack of vitamins and minerals, then taking sorbents is contraindicated for him.
It is not recommended to treat the problem of intestinal dysfunction with activated carbon if a patient suffering from constipation has been diagnosed with chronic pathologies that require constant medication. In particular, this applies to HIV-positive patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy.
It is impossible to restore stool in case of individual intolerance to the drug, as well as in diseases such as intestinal atony, stomach ulcer, ulcerative colitis and rectal bleeding.
Still, you should refrain from such therapy if there is a suspicion of intestinal obstruction. It is not recommended to independently treat constipation with the help of sorbents if, along with the problem of defecation, a person experiences pain in the abdomen and head, accompanied by elevated body temperature, nausea, discoloration of the skin and rashes. Such symptoms are reason to immediately consult a doctor.
Side effects are rare because the drug is easily tolerated by the body. Sometimes minor side effects may occur. After stopping the treatment they go away immediately.
In some cases, this drug causes stomach upset and diarrhea. May lead to impaired absorption of nutrients, microelements, vitamins and hormones. Typically, these disorders occur as a result of long-term use.
The side effect may continue for another week after the end of treatment if the patient took an increased dose of the drug. The sorbent often has a negative effect on the gastrointestinal tract if taken in combination with laxatives for frequent constipation.
How to take the sorbent correctly
Constipation is considered to be the absence of stool for more than 1.5-2 days; the same diagnosis is established when difficult and incomplete emptying occurs. The drug should be drunk with half a glass of water; a sufficient amount of liquid ensures the effectiveness of treatment and accelerates metabolic processes. If there are all signs of intoxication at the same time, then treatment is carried out as follows:
- at the initial stage, 2 tablets 2 times a day;
- if constipation continues longer, you should take 3 tablets every 4 hours;
- at high temperatures and other signs of internal poisoning - one tablet for every 10 kg of weight, every 4 hours.
Duration of use is from 5-7 days to two weeks. After this, it is recommended to take a break and, if necessary, undergo repeated treatment.
Instructions for use for constipation and bloating
There are certain rules for taking the drug. Compliance with them will allow you to achieve the desired result as quickly as possible:
- Before starting to take the sorbent, it is better to consult a doctor.
- Recommended option for taking the drug: a charcoal tablet one hour before meals or after meals 2 hours later. Take the product with plenty of water.
- Take charcoal until complete recovery (from 2 to 4 days), every 3-4 hours. Children under 14 years of age use the product 3 times a day. If there is no result after 4 days, consult a doctor.
- The number of tablets must be varied depending on the complexity of the problem. At the first signs and uncomplicated form of constipation, take two to four tablets. In severe forms of the disease, the number of tablets is calculated depending on body weight. One tablet per day for every 10 kilograms of weight.
- The product will be effective until the body is saturated; after exceeding the required amount, the positive effect stops. Increasing the dosage does not enhance the effect or speed up treatment.
- If constipation occurs frequently, crush the tablet and drink it, dissolving it in water.
- Do not chew the tablets; the sorbent does not reach the intestines.
- For liver problems that provoke the accumulation of toxic elements in the stomach, the optimal course of taking the drug is no more than seven days.
- Long-term use of the sorbent on an empty stomach can provoke vitamin deficiency. The reason is its ability to absorb harmful and beneficial elements. To avoid negative consequences, it is recommended to take a complex of vitamins at the same time.
- Store the product in a dark and dry place.
In pharmacies you can find white activated carbon for sale. The basis for the production of the drug is highly dispersed silicon dioxide and microcrystalline cellulose. In terms of effectiveness, it is not inferior to a similar black medicine, but is prohibited for use by women during lactation and pregnancy.
When not to use the product
You should not take activated charcoal during meals; it is best to do it two hours before or two hours after. Despite the safety of the drug, it must be taken into account taking into account the characteristics of the person and his illness. It is also not recommended to drink the product when the body suffers from a lack of nutrients (vitamins and microelements).
The use of charcoal is contraindicated if the patient requires constant therapy with potent drugs.
In this case, the sorbent will reduce the effectiveness of treatment due to the removal of necessary drugs.
A direct contraindication is complete intestinal obstruction, peptic ulcer disease and a tendency to intestinal bleeding. Self-medication should not be carried out in case of severe abdominal pain with a simultaneous increase in temperature, nausea and vomiting, and the appearance of a skin rash.
General recommendations
Activated carbon is one of the means of choice when providing emergency first aid. This drug, whether black or white coal, cannot be used as a regular remedy for the treatment of digestive problems and hangovers.
The medicine, despite its relatively low cost, has a large number of useful properties.
When used regularly, charcoal binds not only harmful, but also beneficial substances needed by the body (enzymes, vitamins, amino acids). With prolonged use, in order to cleanse the body, you can provoke the development of the habit of constant nausea.
Activated charcoal is contraindicated in the presence of ulcerative lesions, intolerance, intestinal obstruction, the presence of acute inflammation in the intestines, and operations in the gastrointestinal tract.
You can find out how to treat inflammation of the stomach in the article on our website - Inflammation of the stomach: symptoms and treatment.
Any intervention of enterosorbents in this case can only lead to a worsening of the condition.
Side effects
Taking activated charcoal helps with the problem of functional constipation, but it may cause some side effects. During use, a person sometimes develops the following undesirable effects:
- diarrhea;
- flatulence;
- avitaminosis;
- imbalance of micro- and macroelements;
- decreased absorption of endogenous nutrients.
Typically, such phenomena occur after prolonged use or significantly exceeding the recommended dosage.
Since the effect of any drug may be accompanied by an individual reaction to its use, charcoal may in very rare cases not treat, but cause constipation. Typically, the opposite effect of coal is observed when the permissible concentration is significantly exceeded. To prevent this from happening, you should definitely read the instructions or consult a doctor.
Can activated charcoal cause constipation?
In very rare cases, the drug can cause: constipation, nausea, vomiting and stomach discomfort.
It should not be taken by people with intestinal obstruction or gastrointestinal ulcers, especially if they are accompanied by bleeding.
If you use this medicine with other medications or supplements, you need to understand that charcoal weakens their effect on the body.
Therefore, sometimes you should not consume activated charcoal, as it leads to unwanted problems (such as constipation).
Features of use during pregnancy
Pregnancy is often accompanied by constipation. This occurs as a result of the release of a hormone that reduces the tone of the uterus and intestinal muscles - progesterone. Therefore, you have to choose the safest means to alleviate the condition.
Activated carbon is not absorbed into the blood, but acts exclusively in the intestines, and its use is not contraindicated during pregnancy. The product will help improve digestion, eliminate bloating, intestinal colic, and eliminate heartburn in the last trimester.
Information about the drug
Activated carbon (sorbent) is a practical, universal and practically safe medicine. It is made from organic materials (charcoal, coke) and has a porous structure.
Coal is capable of adsorption, a process in which gases or liquids are absorbed by solids. Therefore, activated carbon neutralizes poisons, deactivates bacteria and molecular components that harm the digestive tract.
By helping to rid the stomach of unwanted elements (harmful chemicals, bacteria, toxins), it promotes successful bowel movements, eliminating problems that cause constipation and fecal retention.
As a result of constipation, immunity decreases, dysbiosis develops, and the functions of many organs can be disrupted. Constipation is distinguished between acute and chronic. Activated carbon is effective in the initial stage of the disease and outside the acute period.
The sorbent is safe even during pregnancy . It does not affect the tone of the uterus and does not activate the intestinal muscles.
Coal is also used to prevent constipation. But this is not the main, but an auxiliary means for normalizing stool.
Analogs
Analogues of activated carbon can be any adsorbent substances. Natural preparations are obtained by processing plants to lignin (a substance for sorption). These include Filtrum, Polyphepan, Lignosorb.
Mineral analogs with silica are also used to remove toxins and improve digestion. This is Atoxil, Enterosgel. It should also be noted that Smecta is based on aluminum and magnesium silicates. This remedy is well tolerated and does not cause constipation as a side effect.
The strongest sorbents - Kaopectate and Neointestopan - contain attapulgite (a silicate of natural origin). But their use is contraindicated during pregnancy and in children under 3 years of age.
Bottom line
As it turns out, these inexpensive pills are effective against constipation and are truly versatile. This is one of the medications, the use of which for problems with bowel movements will not harm even a pregnant woman. Those ladies who have weakened uterine tone can take charcoal, since the drug does not contribute to its involuntary contraction.
If you dose the medication incorrectly and do not follow the rules of administration, you can provoke unpleasant consequences.
Therefore, in any case, you should not self-medicate, but it would be best to seek help from a specialist.
Instructions during pregnancy and childhood
Constipation in pregnant women is associated with increased levels of progesterone, which reduces intestinal tone. Most drugs are contraindicated during pregnancy, but this sorbent can and should be used. The use of sorbent will allow a woman to get rid of bloating, heartburn, and intestinal disorders.
The drug can only be used for functional constipation. When the disorder is caused by any disease, self-medication is prohibited.
A pregnant woman should consult a doctor to understand the nature of the disorder and choose the right treatment. A specialist will consider whether charcoal can help in a particular case.
Coal helps children with poisoning and constipation. You can give it to a child from 2 years old, after talking with the pediatrician. A different dosage is selected for children of different ages. Up to 5 years - no more than 4 tablets per day, over 5 years - no more than 9 tablets per day, divided into 3 doses.
