How to take activated charcoal? Indications and contraindications for use
Activated carbon is a sorbent, that is, a substance that is capable of absorbing harmful toxins, impurities and, in the main, organic contaminants. The porous substances that make up this preparation contribute to its high absorption. They are obtained mainly from various materials containing carbon of natural( organic) origin: stone and charcoal, coconut coal and so on.
The list of diseases in which this sorbent is used is very wide:
The drug is safe for children, so it can be used with poisoning, and for various infectious diseases, including those associated with impaired digestive system.
The dosage of this drug is determined based on the diagnosis and weight of the patient.
Generally, the preparation is administered orally in the form of a suspension of ground product with water.20-30 grams of coal for one use is used for intoxication. In the same form, the drug is used for gastric lavage. When the acid concentration in the gastric juice is increased and excessive gas formation, the drug is taken orally 1-2 g 3-4 times using a sufficient amount of water.
Activated carbon is also effective in combination with drugs such as tannin and magnesium oxide. A mixture of these ingredients is prepared in a ratio of 2: 1: 1 and is used for poisoning as a suspension( to 1 glass of warm water add 2 tablespoons of the mixture).
For children, the dose of the drug is determined based on their weight, but up to seven years, usually prescribed 5 g 3 times a day. The drug is prescribed for no more than three days.
In case the treatment with this medicine is prescribed by a doctor, then questions usually do not arise. When self-medication is desirable to know some of the features of the drug, for example:
Along with the positive effect of the medication, there are a number of contraindications for its use.
The use of the drug for patients is forbidden:
A fashion trend in losing weight today is a diet based on the constant use of activated carbon. Based on the above recommendations, this "weight loss method", which is not approved by official bodies in the field of health care, should not be used, because it can lead to unforeseen, and even disastrous results.
Indications for the use of the drug
The list of diseases in which this sorbent is used is very wide:
- is used for disorders of the normal functioning of the digestive system, abdominal distention, pain and gas leakage, poisoning with bad food and alcohol, alkaloids, heavy metal salts, etc..
- it is indispensable in the treatment of lesions of the gastric mucosa, inflammatory diseases of the mucous membrane of the colon, increasing the acid concentration in the gastric juice, severe forms of diarrhea with vomiting;
- is prescribed for the treatment of diseases caused by pathogens, in particular, dysentery, cholera, typhoid fever.
The drug is safe for children, so it can be used with poisoning, and for various infectious diseases, including those associated with impaired digestive system.
Features of the drug
The dosage of this drug is determined based on the diagnosis and weight of the patient.
Generally, the preparation is administered orally in the form of a suspension of ground product with water.20-30 grams of coal for one use is used for intoxication. In the same form, the drug is used for gastric lavage. When the acid concentration in the gastric juice is increased and excessive gas formation, the drug is taken orally 1-2 g 3-4 times using a sufficient amount of water.
Activated carbon is also effective in combination with drugs such as tannin and magnesium oxide. A mixture of these ingredients is prepared in a ratio of 2: 1: 1 and is used for poisoning as a suspension( to 1 glass of warm water add 2 tablespoons of the mixture).
For children, the dose of the drug is determined based on their weight, but up to seven years, usually prescribed 5 g 3 times a day. The drug is prescribed for no more than three days.
Recommendations for the use of the drug
In case the treatment with this medicine is prescribed by a doctor, then questions usually do not arise. When self-medication is desirable to know some of the features of the drug, for example:
- in case of poisoning the sorbent must be taken before gastric lavage. The concentration of the drug in the stomach should be quite high, which will prevent the release of harmful substances and getting them into the blood. After gastric lavage, you also need to take the drug. To eliminate symptoms of intoxication, the drug should be taken orally, but in some cases enemas in the form of a suspension are used;
- interval between consumption of coal and food, as well as concomitant medications should be 2-3 hours. Given that this medicine adsorbs not only harmful but also beneficial substances, non-observance of these recommendations will lead to a significant weakening of the effectiveness of medications taken;
- using this drug, do not be afraid of what, when removed from the body, it stains the stools in black. This is its peculiarity. But at the same time, it should be remembered that in case of bleeding of the gastrointestinal tract, this circumstance may lubricate the clinical picture of the disease;
- continuous intake of the drug can promote the development of vitamin deficiency, the violation of proper digestion of food and absorption of nutrients from the digestive tract, as well as impaired bowel function. Therefore, it is necessary to resort to activated charcoal only in emergency cases and to take in accordance with the recommendations.
Contraindications
Along with the positive effect of the medication, there are a number of contraindications for its use.
The use of the drug for patients is forbidden:
- in diseases of the digestive tract such as peptic ulcer and intestinal ulcer, ulcerative colitis;
- with bleeding of the gastrointestinal tract;
- with individual sensitivity to the active substance.
A fashion trend in losing weight today is a diet based on the constant use of activated carbon. Based on the above recommendations, this "weight loss method", which is not approved by official bodies in the field of health care, should not be used, because it can lead to unforeseen, and even disastrous results.