What are charcoal tablets for? The use and purpose of this tool will be described in this article. We will also talk about the properties of the mentioned drug, its side effects and contraindications.
Composition, packaging
Coal tablets contain coal of animal or vegetable origin, which has been subjected to special treatment. Typically, this tool is available in 0.5 and 0.25 g in cell or paper packaging.
Basic information and analogues
Coal tablets are an adsorbent, a detoxifying agent. Most often, a drug called “Activated Carbon” is used as them. This is the most affordable enterosorbent used to cleanse the body of toxins, allergens and toxins. Also, the tool in question is widely used for weight loss (as an adjuvant) and in the treatment of skin and intestinal diseases.
In addition to activated carbon, such drugs as “Carbactin”, bird cherry fruits, “Karbopect”, “Mikrosorb-P”, “Karbosorb”, “Ultra-Adsorb”, “Lopedium”, “Sorbex”, magnesium peroxide have similar effects , "Stoperan."
Drug action
How do charcoal tablets affect the human body? The instructions supplied with this product claim that it is an antidiarrheal, detoxifying and adsorbing drug with high surface activity. After taking this medication, substances are bound in the human body that lower the surface energy without any changes in their chemical nature.
According to experts, coal tablets adsorb a number of compounds such as barbiturates, alkaloids, gases, salicylates, glycosides, toxins and salts of heavy metals. Doctors say that under the influence of this drug, the absorption of these substances in the digestive tract is significantly reduced, and their excretion from the body along with feces is simplified.
Features of the medication
Charcoal tablets for cleansing the body are also active in hemoperfusion. They have weak adsorption with respect to alkalis and acids, including salts of iron, malathion, cyanides, methanol and ethylene glycol.
This medication does not irritate the mucous membranes of the internal organs, and in case of topical application significantly accelerates the healing of wounds and ulcers.
To achieve the maximum therapeutic effect, coal tablets are recommended to be taken within the first few hours or immediately after poisoning.
In the process of intoxication therapy, it is necessary to create an excess of coal in the stomach (right before washing it) and the intestines (after direct washing of the stomach). It should also be noted that high dosages of this drug are required if there are food masses in the digestive system. Thus, they will be sorbed by coal, which will prevent their further absorption.
The low concentration of the drug in question leads to the absorption and desorption of the bound substance. In this case, repeated gastric lavage, as well as the appointment of coal prevents the resorption of released toxins.
If human poisoning was provoked by substances that are actively involved in enterohepatic circulation (for example, drugs such as Indomethacin, cardiac glycosides, Morphine, and other opiates), then tablets should be taken continuously for several days.
The particular effectiveness of the adsorbent in question is noted during hemoperfusion after acute poisoning with Glutetimide, Theophylline, or barbiturates.
Indications for coal
About how to drink charcoal tablets for clarification, we will tell a little lower.
The following conditions are considered indications for the use of this drug:
- dyspepsia;
- diarrhea;
- dysentery;
- cirrhosis of the liver;
- flatulence and other processes of fermentation and decay in the intestine;
- foodborne toxicosis;
- hypersecretion of gastric juice;
- allergic reactions;
- acute poisoning, including alkaloids and glycosides;
- poisoning with salts of heavy metals;
- bronchial asthma;
- salmonellosis;
- chronic and acute viral hepatitis;
- burn disease in the stage of septicotoxemia and toxemia;
- chronic renal failure;
- atopic dermatitis.
It should also be noted that activated carbon tablets are often prescribed to reduce gas formation in the intestine, in preparation for x-ray examination and ultrasound. In addition, they are allowed to be used for weight loss as an additional tool, but only after consulting a specialist and choosing an adequate diet.
Prohibitions for appointment
Before drinking charcoal tablets, you should definitely familiarize yourself with their contraindications for use. The medication in question should not be used in the following cases:
- with high individual sensitivity to coal;
- with gastric ulcer;
- with bleeding from the digestive tract;
- with ulcerative colitis;
- with atony of the intestine;
- while taking antitoxic drugs, the effect of which begins only after absorption.
Coal tablets: instructions for use
Activated carbon tablets or an aqueous suspension made from them should be taken orally 65 minutes before eating, as well as taking other medications.
To get the necessary suspension, the right amount of the drug is thoroughly dissolved in half a glass of ordinary water.
The average daily dosage of this drug for adults is approximately 1-2 g. The maximum varies between 7-8 g.
To calculate the necessary dose for a child, one should take into account his body weight. The standard calculation of this medication is as follows: 0.05 g / kg three times a day, but not more than 0.2 mg / kg at a time.
In acute diseases, the course of treatment with the agent under consideration should last about 3-5 days, and in chronic or allergic diseases - up to two weeks. After 14 days, coal therapy can be repeated, but only on the recommendation of a doctor.
With the development of flatulence or dyspepsia, activated charcoal should be taken orally at 1-2 g four times a day for one week.
A suspension made from the drug in question is usually used for gastric lavage, including with severe poisoning. In this case, the finished solution is drunk at 30-35 g.
With increased secretion of gastric juice, adult patients are prescribed 10 g of the drug three times a day between meals. Babies under 7 years old are given 5 g of medication, and children 7-14 years old - 7 g at a time. The course of such therapy should last at least 1-2 weeks.
Side effects after taking activated carbon
According to the attached instructions, side effects of this drug can be phenomena such as:
- dyspepsia;
- constipation;
- hemorrhage;
- diarrhea;
- hypoglycemia;
- black color of the chair;
- hypothermia;
- embolism;
- hypocalcemia;
- decrease in blood pressure.
It can not be said that prolonged use of a sorbent agent can lead to impaired absorption of proteins, Ca, fats, various vitamins, nutrients and hormones. Therefore, the drug in question should be taken strictly according to the indications and prescription of the treating doctor.
Interaction with other medicines
According to expert reviews, activated carbon, as well as other sorbent drugs, can significantly impair the absorption and effectiveness of drugs that are taken in parallel. In addition, this drug reduces the activity of components acting directly inside the stomach.
Terms of purchase and storage of medication
The instructions clearly state that activated carbon must be kept only in a dry place and separately from those substances that emit various gases and vapors. Storage of this medication in the open air and in a humid environment significantly reduces its sorption ability. This remedy is dispensed in pharmacies without a doctor’s prescription.
Is it possible to cleanse the body with coal
As mentioned above, activated carbon is a detoxification and adsorption drug. Thus, its use is able to bind and remove all harmful substances from the body. No wonder this drug is used during weight loss. It eliminates those elements that disrupt the normal metabolism, helps to cleanse the body and further lose extra pounds.