During pregnancy, a woman should be careful in using different drugs. With the advent of the child, the restrictions become even stricter. Now, before you take the medicine, you need to think a few times, since many active substances can penetrate the bloodstream and get into the baby. Otherwise, experts look at the drug with the trade name "Activated Carbon".
With breastfeeding, it is prescribed often. Does this mean the safety of the medicine? Today's article will help you answer this question, as well as understand how and in what doses activated charcoal is taken during breastfeeding.
Purpose of the drug and its characteristics
Activated charcoal is produced in tablets. The drug is an adsorbent. It reduces the absorption of toxins and alkaloids from the gastrointestinal tract. The substance collects harmful substances on its surface and removes them from the body.
Activated charcoal during breastfeeding, as in other cases, is prescribed according to the following indications:
- poisoning (food, drugs, chemicals);
- intoxication of the body (caused by various reasons);
- intestinal viral and bacterial infections;
- diarrhea of different origin;
- dyspepsia (gas formation, fermentation in the stomach, increased acidity, discomfort);
- preparation for various studies in the intestine and stomach.
Can activated charcoal be taken with breastfeeding?
If you refer to the instructions for use, you will find the following information. The drug works exclusively in the intestine, it collects harmful substances and is excreted unchanged from the body. The medicine is not absorbed into the systemic circulation, it does not penetrate into breast milk. Also in contraindications there is not a single word about lactation. What does it mean? Can I drink activated charcoal while breastfeeding? The answer to the last question will be positive.
The medicine is often prescribed for allergies in a child. In most cases, it is caused by the nutrition of the mother. Therefore, for the speedy withdrawal of the allergen from the body of a woman, an adsorbent is prescribed to her. An appropriate diet is also prescribed with the exception of everything that can cause a baby's reaction.
Contraindications and the likelihood of side effects
Despite the safety of the medicine, not all women can safely use activated charcoal when breastfeeding. In what cases is such therapy prohibited? Contraindication to taking pills is an ulcer of different parts of the stomach and intestines. Also, internal bleeding prohibits the use of this medication. If a nursing woman regularly takes certain medications, then she must refrain from using an adsorbent. As you know, tablets remove not only toxins and harmful substances, but also useful vitamins, minerals, and medications.
If you use activated charcoal during breastfeeding, you can encounter adverse reactions. When they appear, you must stop using the drug and consult a specialist for advice. The instruction describes the following adverse reactions:
- stool disorders (constipation or diarrhea);
- impaired absorption of nutrients and vitamins (hypovitaminosis);
- with prolonged use in large quantities, the balance of proteins, carbohydrates and fats is disturbed (sometimes the hormonal background also suffers).
The use of activated carbon almost always leads to staining of feces in black. However, this reaction is not negative, everything goes after discontinuation of the drug.
Activated charcoal when breastfeeding: dosage
Instructions for use indicate that the medicine is prescribed in a certain portion, based on the indications. In case of poisoning, intestinal infections, intoxication, the drug is shown in the amount of 250 mg per 10 kg of body weight. It is recommended to use no more than 10 tablets per day. If we are talking about gas formation, discomfort in the abdomen, then one tablet is recommended for every 30 kilograms of body weight.
The daily dose must be divided into several doses. It should be remembered that the drug is used several hours before other medicines and meals.
Recommendations of specialists and reviews
Doctors say that if mom has no contraindications to using the drug, then activated charcoal during breastfeeding can not harm. Doctors say that this adsorbent is one of the safest. It gently affects the gastrointestinal tract, removes allergens and toxic substances. Many women after childbirth with this drug cleanse their body.
If we talk about the dosage of the drug, then there are different opinions. For example, Dr. Komarovsky argues that it is impossible to overdose an adsorbent. Therefore, per day, an adult woman can take from 50 to 200 tablets. Other doctors say that overdosing leads to an imbalance of nutrients. If there are no vitamins and minerals in the mother's body, then the child will also be left without them. This is not the best option for a growing baby. The recommendations of specialists regarding activated carbon are as follows:
- use the drug only if necessary;
- consult with a doctor before taking and find out how the medicine will affect your child;
- observe the prescribed dosages and duration of treatment.
Summarize
Can activated charcoal be taken with breastfeeding? If you do not have contraindications, then the use of the drug is not prohibited. But you need to look sensibly at the situation. With intestinal infections and poisoning, additional drugs must be taken. The doctor will tell you about them. Before using any medicine during lactation, you must first consult your doctor. Be healthy!