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Charcoal / sorbitol Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Warnings

Brand names: Actidose Plus Sorbitol, Char-Flo with Sorbitol, Insta-Char with Sorbitol, Liqui-Char with Sorbitol

Charcoal / sorbitol Pregnancy Warnings

Safety has not been established; use only if the benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus.

AU TGA pregnancy category: Exempt
US FDA pregnancy category: Not assigned

Comments:
-Activated charcoal and sorbitol are not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.
-Sorbitol's cathartic effects may cause electrolyte disturbances or dehydration in the pregnant patient.

Animal studies did not show teratogenicity. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy.

AU Exempt: Medications exempted from pregnancy classification are not absolutely safe for use in pregnancy in all circumstances. Some exempted medicines, for example the complementary medicine, St John's Wort, may interact with other medicines and induce unexpected adverse effects in the mother and/or fetus.

US FDA pregnancy category Not Assigned: The US FDA has amended the pregnancy labeling rule for prescription drug products to require labeling that includes a summary of risk, a discussion of the data supporting that summary, and relevant information to help health care providers make prescribing decisions and counsel women about the use of drugs during pregnancy. Pregnancy categories A, B, C, D, and X are being phased out.

See references

Charcoal / sorbitol Breastfeeding Warnings

Safety has not been established; use only if the benefit outweighs the risk.

Excreted into human milk: Data not available
Excreted into animal milk: Data not available

Comments:
-Activated charcoal and sorbitol are not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.
-Sorbitol's cathartic effects may cause electrolyte disturbances or dehydration in the lactating patient.

See references

References for pregnancy information

  1. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
  2. (2019) "Product Information. Actidose Plus Sorbitol (charcoal-sorbitol)." Perrigo, L. Company

References for breastfeeding information

  1. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
  2. (2019) "Product Information. Actidose Plus Sorbitol (charcoal-sorbitol)." Perrigo, L. Company

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.