Diarrhea is one of the most common problems in everyday life. It is provoked by a variety of factors, and attacks disrupt the normal course of the day. In addition to psychological stress, this also affects a person’s physical health. It can be caused by both pathogenic microorganisms and medications that, in one way or another, affect the intestinal flora. Many remedies, both medicinal and folk, have been developed to treat loose stools. Sorbents are one of them; they not only bind feces, but also remove toxins from the body. Certain drugs have become quite popular, they are in every medicine cabinet, but sometimes some patients experience painful symptoms, are they related to the use of these medications, can there be diarrhea after activated charcoal.
Information about the drug
Activated carbon is produced by several companies in the following dosage forms:
- Black tablets are flat-cylindrical in shape, with beveled edges. They have a dividing line that allows you to divide the tablet into 2 halves.
- Gelatin black capsules containing black powder inside.
Activated carbon is an enterosorbent.
The drug adsorbs microorganisms and their metabolic products, allergens, medications, toxic substances, alkaloid compounds, and heavy metal salts on its surface. Activated carbon absorbs gases that accumulate during bloating and removes them from the body.
It binds weakly to the following chemicals:
- alkalis,
- acids,
- salts of hydrocyanic acid and iron,
- karbofos,
- wood alcohol,
- glycol.
It is recommended to use the sorbent if:
- poisoning of any origin, caused by toxic substances that are formed inside the body or enter it from the outside,
- an allergic reaction triggered by food or medication,
- food poisoning, salmonellosis, shigellosis (in this case, activated carbon is prescribed simultaneously with other medications),
- pathologies of the digestive tract, in which dyspeptic disorders and bloating are observed,
- increased bilirubin levels in liver pathology,
- increased nitrogen levels in the blood due to renal failure,
- poisoning with medications, including sleeping pills, alcohol, drugs, psychotropic drugs,
- poisoning with alkaloid compounds, salts of heavy metals and other poisons.
Charcoal reduces the formation of gases in the intestines, therefore it is prescribed before ultrasound and x-ray examination.
How many days does black stool last?
After Activated Charcoal, black stools are observed for up to 3 days, provided that the drug is taken once. Due to the fact that the dosage depends on the patient’s body weight, all components cannot be released in 1 day. Therefore, the color of stool remains for several days after the last dose of the drug.
In the case when 4 or more days pass and the color of the stool does not change, you need to consult a doctor, because black stools may indicate the development of various diseases, including bleeding, tuberculosis or cancer in the gastrointestinal tract.
Green or black feces after Activated Carbon last a couple of days, that is, as long as it takes to completely cleanse the stomach. For some, the tablets are eliminated from the body on the first day of use and the next day the stool returns to normal. Everything is individual, so there is no reason to worry ahead of time.
Contraindications for diarrhea
Sorbent for diarrhea should not be taken if the following pathologies are diagnosed:
- allergy to medication,
- decreased intestinal tone and weakened peristalsis,
- bleeding from one or another part of the digestive tract,
- erosive and ulcerative pathologies of the digestive tract (gastrointestinal ulcer, ulcerative colitis).
Whether a child can drink activated charcoal during diarrhea or not, you need to check the instructions, since depending on the manufacturer, the age at which the drug is approved differs. Most companies indicate that their activated carbon can be taken from birth, but the drug produced by Usolye-Sibirsky Chemical Pharmaceutical Plant OJSC is approved from 3 years of age.
Diabetics and patients on a low-carbohydrate diet should drink enterosorbent with caution during diarrhea.
The sorbent does not slow down the speed of the psychomotor reaction, so the medicine can be used without restrictions by drivers and people who work in potentially hazardous industries.
Instructions on how to take charcoal for diarrhea
Activated carbon tablets for diarrhea can be swallowed whole or pre-crushed into powder, which is mixed in 0.5 glass of water and drunk.
For diarrhea, capsules can be swallowed or opened and the contents mixed in water. Do not use other liquids for dilution.
Drink the adsorbent 1-2 hours before or after meals and other medications.
How much activated charcoal you need to drink for diarrhea depends on the patient’s age, weight and indications. For diarrhea caused by infection or functional disorders, the sorbent should be taken in the following dosages:
| Age | Single dosage | Dosing frequency per day |
| Children | For patients under 18 years of age, give the medicine at 0.05 g per kg of weight. The maximum single dose for them should not exceed 0.2 g per kg of body weight. | Three times. |
| Adults | Activated carbon for diarrhea in adults is used in doses of 1 to 2 g. The highest single dose for adults is 8 g. | Three times, four times. |
Adults can take enterosorbent for diarrhea at 100-200 mg per kg of weight per day, dividing the daily dosage into 3 times.
The presence of food in the digestive tract requires the introduction of an adsorbent in large doses. The contents of the gastrointestinal tract are also sorbed by carbon, as a result of which its activity is weakened.
Activated carbon for vomiting and diarrhea is used as follows:
- First, the stomach is washed using a sorbent suspension,
- then drink another 20-30 g of medication.
You can drink activated carbon for diarrhea from 3 to 14 days, but if enterosorbent is taken for more than 10 days, then multivitamins and calcium-containing products are needed to prevent hypovitaminosis and hypocalcemia.
To prevent activated carbon from losing its properties, it must be stored in a dry place, away from substances that emit gases or vapors into the atmosphere. If you store tablets in the air (especially humid), the sorption ability of the medicine during diarrhea is weakened. Storage temperature should not exceed 25 degrees. The shelf life must be specified in the official instructions, for example, activated carbon produced by Tatkhimfarmpreparaty OJSC is valid for 36 months, and the medicine of Vifitech CJSC is valid for 24 months.
Adverse reactions to charcoal
Activated carbon may cause diarrhea. In addition, its use can provoke other undesirable reactions:
- dyspeptic disorders,
- stool retention,
- impaired absorption of vitamins, calcium, nutrients (hypovitaminosis occurs if charcoal tablets for diarrhea are taken for a long time, more than 2 weeks).
If you take activated charcoal for diarrhea, it can cause your stool to turn black.
If any of the “side effects” indicated in the official instructions worsen or adverse reactions not described in the annotation appear, you need to report them to your doctor.
Mechanism of action of the drug
Activated carbon has been used for a long time, but its main purpose was to purify water by filtering out harmful impurities. Using its adsorbing properties, it gradually began to be used in folk and then in traditional medicine. Currently, it is impossible to do without this remedy for food poisoning, dyspepsia, flatulence, and various intoxications.
Currently, the raw materials for the production of high-quality activated carbon are tree wood, peat, and coconut shells, and it is this drug that is used in medicine and pharmacology.
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The mechanism of action of the drug is that the sorbent attracts toxic substances, preventing them from penetrating into the cells of the body, binds and helps to remove them naturally. In addition, it cleanses the bloodstream of harmful toxins, preventing them from entering the bloodstream.
Possible harm
Despite its apparent harmlessness, activated carbon can cause irreparable harm to the body, namely, disrupt the intestinal microflora. The fact is that long-term use of the drug can lead to the removal of beneficial microflora, impaired absorption of nutrients in the gastrointestinal tract, which will ultimately lead to the development of hypovitaminosis.
Penetrating into the intestines, the drug attracts harmful substances and helps eliminate them naturally
Activated carbon should be taken with caution during treatment with other medications, as it accelerates their elimination from the body, thereby reducing the effect of their effects. In case of gastric bleeding, duodenal or stomach ulcers, the use of activated charcoal should be completely avoided.
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Analogues of activated carbon for diarrhea
For diarrhea, you can take other enterosorbents:
- Sorbex,
- Carbopect,
- White coal.
Sorbex
Sorbex is available in capsules with a black cap and body, they have a white inscription in Latin. Inside the capsules there is a black shiny coarse powder.
The medication contains activated carbon as an active ingredient. In addition, the composition includes inactive ingredients:
- gelatin,
- iron oxide black,
- black shiny BN.
Sorbex can only be treated in patients over 7 years of age.
If you have diarrhea, you should drink the drug 1-2 hours before or after eating or taking other medications.
Drink Sorbex in the following doses:
| Age | Dosage regimen |
| Over 7 years old | 1-3 capsules three to four times a day. |
| For adults | On average, you need to take 2-8 capsules (0.5-2 g) three to four times a day. The highest single dosage is 12 capsules, which corresponds to 3 g. |
Carbopect
Carbopect is available in 2 dosage forms:
- Capsules. They contain activated carbon (110 mg). In addition to it, they contain fillers: gelatin, water, MCC, pectin. They are colorless, containing black granules with shiny inclusions inside.
- Pills. They contain activated carbon (0.23 g). In addition to it, the drug contains pectin, E470, E460. The tablets have a flat-cylindrical shape. They are black with shiny and grayish-beige patches and may be unevenly colored. Their surface is rough. There is a line that allows you to split the tablet in half.
It is recommended to drink Carbopect before or after taking other medications or food 1-2 hours before.
For diarrhea, take the medicine in the following dosages:
| Age | Capsules | Pills |
| For children | Drink, like activated carbon, 0.05-0.2 g per kg of weight three times a day. Before giving the drug to children under 6 years of age, the capsule must be opened and added to water. | For diarrhea, take 0.05-0.2 g per kg of body weight three times a day. |
| For adults | If you have diarrhea, drink 4-8 pieces three to four times a day. You can drink a maximum of 32 pieces at a time. | Drink 0.9-1.8 g (which corresponds to 4-8 tablets) three to four times a day. You can take a maximum of 8 g at a time. |
Take the medicine for 3 to 14 days, re-taking is possible only after 2 weeks.
Increasing the effectiveness of the drug
To achieve maximum effectiveness of the drug, doctors recommend following the following algorithm of actions:
- calculation for an adult patient is based on weight. For every 10 kg – 1 tablet. If a woman is pregnant, then take one less tablet. If it is necessary to treat a child under 10 years old, one tablet is diluted for every 15 kg; after 10 years, the calculation is the same as for an adult;
- A single dose will not completely relieve the disease. A few hours after the first dose, you need to take a second dose;
- if the tablets are taken whole, they should be taken with plenty of water, at least one glass;
- in case of chronic diarrhea, treatment with white activated carbon is not carried out, since in this case it will not be able to stabilize the condition. The chronic form can be treated with a whole range of medications;
- if diarrhea is caused by allergies or chemical poisoning, then therapy should include a number of medications in addition to this adsorbent.
Along with the main positive effect, the medication relieves intestinal gases that accompany loose stools and a painful condition. Especially when the cause of diarrhea is pathogenic microorganisms. Bacterial waste products lead to bloating and intoxication. Activated charcoal is a widely available, common diarrhea medication for adults and children.
