What is this medication for?
Charcoal is used to treat some forms of poisoning, bloating, wind in the tummy (flatulence) and diarrhoea.
How should I take or use this medication?
- This medication should be taken half to one hour before food. The oral suspension may be taken with or without food.
- This medication may interfere with the effect of other medications when taken together. Leave a two-hour gap when taking charcoal with other medications.
- Take this medication as directed by your healthcare professional.
What should I do if I forget to take or use this medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is close to the time of your next dose, take it at the usual time instead. Do not take two doses to make up for a missed dose.
What precautions should I take when taking or using this medication?
Inform your healthcare professional if:
- You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication.
- You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.
- You have, or have a history of a blockage in your gut, or had surgery to remove parts of your gut.
See your healthcare professional if despite treatment with this medication:
- Diarrhoea persists.
- Symptoms of dehydration occur such as dizziness, light-headedness, and a dry mouth.
- Severe pain develops in the stomach or anal region.
- You notice blood in the stools.
- You develop a fever.
What are some common side effects of this medication?
- Charcoal may blacken your stool, and it may also temporarily discolour your teeth.
- Otherwise, this medication may cause abdominal discomfort, constipation, and vomiting.
What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?
The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:
- Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
- Difficulty in breathing
- Itchy skin rashes over your whole body
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.
What food or medication should I avoid when I take or use this medication?
- Charcoal may interfere with the effect of other medications when taken by mouth at the same time. Leave a two-hour gap when taking charcoal with other medications.
How should I store this medication?
Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing it into the rubbish chute or bin.
Disclaimer
Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side-effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side-effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist. If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.
This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (NHG Health, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.
Contributed By
- Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore