Charcoal Side Effects

Brand Names: Actidose-Aqua

Please note - some side effects for Charcoal may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/ or 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).

Side Effects of Charcoal - for the Consumer

Charcoal Activated

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Charcoal Activated:

Constipation; diarrhea; temporary darkening of the stool; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue).

Charcoal

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Charcoal:

Constipation; diarrhea; temporary darkening of the stool; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue).

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch .

Side Effects by Body System

Gastrointestinal

A young woman developed a surgically acute abdomen following orogastric lavage and charcoal administration. Laparotomy revealed charcoal throughout the peritoneum. Complications included peritonitis, adhesions, abscess formation, persistent peritoneal charcoal deposits, oophorectomy, and small bowel resection.

A case report has described charcoal bezoar and small bowel obstruction following administration of 30 to 60 g of activated charcoal via nasogastric tube every 4 to 6 hours for 5 days.

In a study of 275 patients, 18-years-old or younger, 20.4% (56/275) experienced vomiting within < 1 to 120 minutes (mean of 10 minutes) following enteral administration of 1 g/kg (no more than 50 g) of activated charcoal for acute poison ingestion. The following risk factors for vomiting were identified: nausea, a vomiting occurrence prior to charcoal ingestion, presence of signs or symptoms of poisoning (exclusive of nausea &/or vomiting), age > 12 years, administration by nasogastric or orogastric tube, and ingestion of emetogenic drug or chemical.

Bowel obstruction and ileus have occurred with multiple-dose administration.

Although charcoal is tasteless, it adheres to the surfaces of the mouth and tongue, producing a chalk-like taste that can be unpalatable.

Gastrointestinal side effects have frequently included nausea and vomiting (13% to 30%) and constipation. Bowel obstruction, ileus, chalk-like taste, perforation of the gastrointestinal tract and subsequent charcoal peritoneum, and black colored stools have also been reported.

Metabolic

Metabolic side effects occur primarily when sorbitol is combined with charcoal. Multiple-dose activated charcoal has been associated with hypernatremia and hypermagnesemia.

Metabolic side effects have included hypernatremia, hypermagnesemia. electrolyte abnormalities, dehydration, and shock.

Respiratory

Bronchiolitis obliterans and empyema have occurred due to charcoal aspiration following emesis.

Accidental administration of charcoal directly into the lungs has resulted in Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Respiratory side effects have included bronchiolitis obliterans, empyema, and Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Ocular

Corneal abrasions may occur if charcoal comes in contact with eyes.

Ocular side effects have included corneal abrasions.

Hematologic

Hematologic side effects have included exacerbation of variegate porphyria.

Exacerbation of variegate porphyria may lead to increases in skin lesions, and urine and plasma porphyrins.

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