Activated Charcoal

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is it? Activated (ak-tih-va-ted) charcoal is a black powder or liquid medicine. It keeps your body from absorbing (taking in) certain drugs or poisons that you may have swallowed. When you take activated charcoal, the drugs or poisons stick to it. The drug or poison will leave your body with the charcoal when you have a BM.

Care: Your BMs will be black until you have passed all the charcoal. If you vomit (throw up), it will also be black. The charcoal may cause constipation (kon-stih-pa-shun). This is when you have a hard time having a BM. The first dose of charcoal may be mixed with laxative medicine to keep you from getting constipated. Drink 6 to 8 glasses (soda pop can size) of liquids like water to keep from getting constipated.

CARE AGREEMENT:

Discuss your treatment options with your caregiver. You can work with him/her to decide which medicine and care will be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.



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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.



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