Pharmacological properties
It is a substance with high surface activity. The effect of the drug on the body leads to the binding of pathogenic elements in the digestive system, negatively affecting its functioning. The product neutralizes toxins, metal salts, and reduces their absorption by the body. After a meal, when there is food in the digestive system, the product is used in increased quantities due to a decrease in the level of effectiveness.
The effect of the drug begins 2-3 minutes after administration. Effectiveness is characterized by two values:
- adsorption capacity level: determines the amount of bound toxins;
- adsorption intensity: determines the effectiveness of eliminating poisons.
Drug interactions
Due to the strong adsorbing effect, the drug “Activated Carbon” is not recommended to be given to children simultaneously with other medications, since this reduces their absorption, which leads to a weaker therapeutic effect.
For this reason, the sorbent and other medications should be taken with a break of two hours.
Now it’s clear how to give activated charcoal to a child when vomiting.
When is it appointed?
It is taken in case of food and medicine poisoning, also for gastric lavage, before the ambulance arrives.
In the presence of the following pathologies, activated carbon is prescribed:
- diseases in which fermentation or rotting occurs in the digestive system: dyspepsia, tumors, adhesions;
- intestinal disorder;
- allergic reaction to food;
- pathologies in which toxic syndrome is present: liver cirrhosis, viral hepatitis;
- asthma;
- intoxication of the body;
- increased stomach acidity;
- cleaning the stomach before x-ray or ultrasound;
- atypical dermatitis.
Additionally used to relieve heartburn. By reacting with hydrochloric acid, it neutralizes it, which improves well-being.
However, it is important to understand that using charcoal does not eliminate severe pain. The duration of the effect of the medication for heartburn is short-lived and the symptoms recur.
Contraindications
Activated carbon is considered to be a harmless and safe medicine, but even it has certain contraindications. Although their list is small, it primarily concerns children. Thus, treatment with this sorbent is prohibited for erosive lesions of the digestive organs, as well as intestinal or gastric bleeding. In addition, the drug is not used in cases of hypersensitivity, which, although extremely rare, occurs in some children. Activated charcoal should not be given to children suffering from intestinal atony when vomiting.
Indications for use
The drug is prescribed if:
- poisoning caused by salts of heavy metals or taking excessive amounts of medications, alcohol, poor-quality food;
- manifestations of intoxication due to ongoing chemotherapy;
- dysfunction of the digestive system;
- intestinal infections;
- dysfunctions of the metabolic process in the body;
- development of renal or liver failure;
- the appearance of acute or chronic viral hepatitis;
- allergies;
- to prepare for hardware diagnostic examination.
The drug improves the functions of the cardiovascular system and reduces cholesterol levels in the blood.
They are used to neutralize acids or alkalis, but the effect is insignificant. The product does not irritate the mucous membrane and promotes the rapid healing of ulcers and other damage inside the digestive system.
In case of poisoning with morphine, indomethacin, glycosides, it is recommended to increase the course of treatment by 2-3 days from the basic 14-day course. This will stabilize the state of the digestive system and return the production of enzymes by the gastrointestinal tract to normal.
Nausea and vomiting: common pathological causes of poor health
The appearance of nausea and vomiting is not an independent disease. These are symptoms of a certain pathology. Therefore, before starting therapy, it is necessary to clarify the cause of this condition.
Most often, such symptoms accompany diseases of the digestive tract. These are also the main signs:
- various poisonings (poor food, toxins, poisons, drugs),
- intestinal infection.
In such conditions, the use of activated carbon immediately after the onset of symptoms is reasonable and effective.
In pathologies of the digestive organs, such manifestations are expressed in acute conditions. But they can be disturbing in case of decompensation of the chronic course of the disease. Disturbances in the form of nausea and vomiting appear with the following diseases:
- hypo- and hyperacid gastritis,
- pancreatitis,
- cholecystitis,
- hepatitis of various etiologies with significant impairment of liver function.
In these cases, the use of carbon sorbent will alleviate the condition. If there is a deterioration in health, a doctor’s examination, examination and full comprehensive treatment taking into account the identified pathology are necessary.
Activated carbon should not be taken on its own if the patient has suffered from severe gastrointestinal diseases for many years:
- peptic ulcer,
- dysfunction of the digestive system in the form of constipation,
- partial intestinal obstruction,
- nonspecific ulcerative colitis.
The condition in such cases can worsen significantly, even to the point of bleeding. Causes of feeling unwell with nausea and vomiting include an acute abdomen.
Nausea and vomiting can accompany severe pathology from the cardiovascular and other systems:
- hypertensive crisis,
- a sharp drop in blood pressure,
- myocardial infarction,
- hypoglycemic conditions,
- motion sickness in transport,
- toxicosis of pregnant women,
- disruption of the central nervous system (severe migraine, cerebral edema, head injuries).
If nausea or vomiting is suspected to have occurred due to the above situations, taking the enterosorbent is contraindicated. The cause can be determined by accompanying clinical signs. If you have pathology of the digestive system, you may experience abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation. Diseases of other organs are accompanied by headaches, there may be a lack of coordination of movements, blurred vision or spots before the eyes, severe sweating, tremor of the fingers, and more. When measuring blood pressure, a sharp increase in blood pressure will be detected, tachycardia during hypertensive or sympathoadrenal crisis, or low blood pressure numbers with bradycardia during vagotonic or hypoglycemic conditions.
The appearance of dyspepsia is a sign that the patient’s condition is worsening. These symptoms lead to dehydration and loss of electrolytes. Metabolic alkalosis develops, increasing intoxication. As a result, nausea and vomiting increase.
Instructions for adults
The medication is intended for oral use 30 minutes before meals, taking other medications, or an hour after. Clearly calculate the dosage, take 3 times a day. The exact dosage depends on the type and severity of the pathology:
- Functional disorders of the digestive system: diarrhea, bloating - drink 2-3 tablets with 100 ml of water. The course of treatment is 7 days.
- Allergic reaction to food - 2 tablets with 100-150 ml of water. Course 14 days.
- Increased secretion of gastric enzymes or poor digestion - 2-4 tablets, wash down with 100-150 ml of water. The course of treatment is 14 days.
- To prepare the digestive system for a diagnostic examination - 2-4 tablets, course of 1-2 days.
Instructions for children
It is recommended to grind the tablets to a powder, then dilute them in water and give them to the child to drink. When dosing, it is recommended to focus on the age and weight of the child:
Quantity per day.
- up to 1 year – take up to 2 tablets;
- 1-3 years – up to 4 tablets;
- 4-6 years – up to 6 tablets;
- 7-14 years – up to 12 tablets.
Divide the dosage into 3 doses throughout the day. Drink 30 minutes before meals or an hour after. Take the product after a doctor's prescription.
Pregnant
Activated carbon eliminates symptoms of food poisoning and relieves toxicosis in the first 3 months of pregnancy. The absorption of toxins through the intestines is reduced when the digestive system is upset and their removal from the body is accelerated. The drug does not have a negative effect on the health of the mother and child; its components are not absorbed by the body.
Instructions
- For food poisoning or toxicosis, take 3 times a day. Calculate the amount of the drug based on weight, 1 tablet per 10 kg of body weight.
- When there are functional disorders of the digestive system: bloating, diarrhea, you need to drink 1-2 tablets 30 minutes before meals or an hour after.
It is not recommended to get carried away with taking activated carbon, which is a strong sorbent. The drug neutralizes not only harmful, but also beneficial substances necessary for the development of the child and the functioning of the mother’s body.
Chemical and physical composition of activated carbon
According to its physicochemical characteristics, activated carbon is an adsorbent. An adsorbent is a chemical substance of natural or synthetic origin that can attach a large number of molecules of other substances.
The composition is a product of combustion of plant substances with subsequent chemical processing. It is based on carbon components obtained after burning wood products. The preferred raw materials are birch, beech, poplar, and less often alder. In some countries, maple is used to produce coal.
The most primitive type of activated carbon is the simplest powder obtained by grinding solid fragments. In pharmacology, a medicinal product is modernized with the addition of chemical components - aimed at increasing the porosity of the product - filtration, absorption of toxic substances, and accumulation of beneficial moisture occurs. The components are polymer gels, bioorganic groups, vegetable oils, and flavoring additives. Coal is heterogeneous in composition - often by-products of combustion of other plants are mixed with the main powder: coconut shavings, fruit (plum, apricot) leaves and elements of the trunks of other tree species.
White clay is added to the composition of the coal powder. The drug is used in medicine and cosmetology - in combination with clay, activated carbon acquires drawing properties, which play an important role in cleansing the skin ducts.
Side effects
When used correctly, this medication is safe for health and therefore does not lead to negative results. However, a negative effect may occur in case of prolonged use of an excessive amount of the drug, the following appears:
- diarrhea;
- constipation;
- black color of stool;
- The digestive system absorbs vitamins and minerals worse.
Reviews
We conducted an analysis. Most of the reviews about the drug are positive. It is noted that due to its availability and low price, the drug is included in home and travel first aid kits. Patients indicate effectiveness in cases of food poisoning, after excessive amounts of alcohol, and in disorders of the digestive system. However, the drug is criticized for being outdated, using white coal as an example.
Activated carbon is a drug that neutralizes toxins in the digestive system. The effectiveness of the product and low price make the drug a leader among sorbent drugs for eliminating the symptoms of poisoning and removing toxic elements from the body.
Drug for nausea of unknown origin
Activated charcoal can also be taken for nausea of unknown origin. As a rule, attacks develop against the background of an existing chronic disease.
The regimen for using the drug will be as follows:
- First, you need to artificially induce vomiting by pressing two fingers on the root of the tongue.
- After vomiting to cleanse the stomach, it is recommended to take 2-4 grams of the product and wash it down with a large volume of clean water - at least a glass.
- If the nausea cannot be eliminated, then you need to take a second dose. Activated charcoal will reduce the acidity of gastric juice and collect the bile present in it.
In some cases, nausea may be a sign of a serious pathology of the circulatory or digestive system. In this case, activated carbon will not bring relief. If there is a sharp deterioration in general health against the background of developing nausea, it is necessary to urgently obtain qualified medical assistance.
