Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal: what it is, why it is used in emergency rooms but is not recommended for home poisoning treatment, and what is known about detox, teeth whitening and over-the-counter products.
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Do not try to treat a poisoning with activated charcoal at home. Call Poison Control (US: 1-800-222-1222) or 911. [1][2]
Overview and identity
Activated charcoal is a special form of carbon made by burning carbon-rich materials such as wood at very high temperatures and then "activating" it so its particles have many holes and crevices. This huge surface area lets other substances stick to it, a process called adsorption. [1] It is not burned toast or barbecue briquettes: briquettes may be treated with chemicals never meant to be swallowed. [1]Medical use
In an emergency room, activated charcoal can adsorb many poisons in the gut and reduce how much enters the body. The sooner it is given the better it works, and it can still reduce absorption of some substances by almost a third even 4 hours later. It is typically mixed with water and swallowed or given through a tube. [1] Poison Control says over-the-counter products might not be as "activated" as the charcoal used in an ER, and the emergency dose (50 to 100 g) would take hundreds of the usual 250 mg tablets. If a poisoning is serious enough to need it, the person should be monitored in an emergency room. [1]Other uses and "detox"
Charcoal is used in water filters, toothpastes (for whitening) and some skin cosmetics, where Poison Control says its usefulness is questionable. [1] The NIH's NCCIH says there is no compelling research to support "detox" diets for eliminating toxins from the body; see Detox & cleanse claims. [3] We do not recommend activated charcoal as a routine detox or cleanse product.Safety
- Usually well tolerated. Reported side effects include nausea and vomiting, often from the gritty feel, and breathing in the powder or liquid, particularly if the person is very drowsy. [1]
- It should not be taken by anyone with gastrointestinal bleeding, a bowel perforation or a bowel blockage. [1]
- Because it binds substances in the gut, ask a pharmacist before taking it near any medicine. The sources we read do not list which medicines are affected, so we make no list.
- Charcoal toothpastes: Poison Control calls the usefulness questionable. [1]
Frequently asked questions
Is activated charcoal a safe daily detox?
We do not recommend it. NIH's NCCIH found no compelling research that detox diets eliminate toxins. [3]
Should I give activated charcoal after a poisoning?
Not at home. Call Poison Control or 911. [1]
References
- Poison Control (America's Poison Centers). Activated charcoal: An effective treatment for poisonings. Reviewed by clinical toxicologists named on the page.
- Poison Control (America's Poison Centers). poison.org. Help line 1-800-222-1222; online tool; call 911 for collapse, seizure, trouble breathing or inability to wake.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). "Detoxes" and "Cleanses": What You Need To Know.
Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.