Activated Charcoal
8 benefits mapped to clinical evidence across supplements.
Dose per serving from products
233 products in our catalogue print how much Activated Charcoal a serving holds.
Most common: 500 mg to 1 g, 43% of 233 products.
| Dose per serving | Products |
|---|---|
| 25 mg or less | 1 |
| 25 mg to 50 mg | 16 |
| 50 mg to 100 mg | 19 |
| 100 mg to 250 mg | 32 |
| 250 mg to 500 mg | 42 |
| 500 mg to 1 g | 100 |
| 1 g to 2.5 g | 23 |
Dose per serving from research
79 study groups in 45 studies say how much Activated Charcoal participants took a day.
These are the doses the studies gave. They are not a recommendation.
Most common: 10 g to 25 g, 41% of 79 study groups.
| Daily dose | Study groups |
|---|---|
| 2.5 g or less | 4 |
| 2.5 g to 5 g | 2 |
| 5 g to 10 g | 16 |
| 10 g to 25 g | 32 |
| 25 g to 50 g | 12 |
| 50 g to 100 g | 9 |
| 100 g to 250 g | 2 |
| over 250 g | 2 |
Benefit Evidence
Absorption −81% / −99%
Elimination faster +84% removed
Absorption block -99%
Elimination boost +53%
Bloating/fullness relief
−95% drug absorption
Diarrhea reduced 28.9%
Diarrhea relief -42.5pp
Dyspepsia comfort NNT7
Absorption ↓95%
Diarrhea/symptoms ↓
Symptom intensity ↓
Fullness/bloating ↓
Gas odor -86%
Bloating symptoms ↓
Gas unchanged
Bloating ↓ significant
Bloating ↓, NNT 7
Plaque −, wear +
Whiteness +6.8; roughness +
Plaque, wear reduction
Whitening +6.8 units
Absorption −81% / −99%
Elimination faster +84% removed
Absorption block -99%
Elimination boost +53%
Bloating/fullness relief
−95% drug absorption
Diarrhea reduced 28.9%
Diarrhea relief -42.5pp
Dyspepsia comfort NNT7
Absorption ↓95%
Diarrhea/symptoms ↓
Symptom intensity ↓
Fullness/bloating ↓
Gas odor -86%
Bloating symptoms ↓
Gas unchanged
Bloating ↓ significant
Bloating ↓, NNT 7
Plaque −, wear +
Whiteness +6.8; roughness +
Plaque, wear reduction
Whitening +6.8 units
Research sources
Detoxification (48)
- Pharmacokinetics and Lung Deposition After Administration of Inhaled Mosliciguat (BAY 1237592): Results from Randomized Phase I Studies in Healthy Men
PubMed ID: 40402373
Multiple PK studies deliberately used oral activated charcoal to block GI absorption—strong demonstration of gut adsorption.
- Modeling the Effect of DAV132, a Novel Colon-Targeted Adsorbent, on Fecal Concentrations of Moxifloxacin and Gut Microbiota Diversity in Healthy Volunteers
PubMed ID: 32617960
DAV132 (colon-targeted activated charcoal) markedly reduced fecal free moxifloxacin and modelled protection of gut microbiota diversity — direct, strong evidence for adsorption in gut.
- A Colon-Targeted Adsorbent (DAV132) Does Not Affect the Pharmacokinetics of Warfarin or Clonazepam in Healthy Subjects
PubMed ID: 33434399
DAV132 coadministration did not alter systemic warfarin/clonazepam exposure — supports colon-targeted adsorption of unwanted compounds without systemic drug interactions.
- Superabsorbent charcoal dressing versus silver foam dressing in wound area reduction: a randomised controlled trial
PubMed ID: 35148626
Clinical RCT: activated-carbon wound pads reduced wound area and maceration faster—direct evidence that topical activated carbon can remove/adsorb wound impurities.
- Effects of Increased Blood Flow Rate and Oral Activated Charcoal on the Severity of Uremic Pruritus: A Randomized Crossover Clinical Trial
PubMed ID: 38146721
Oral charcoal (± increased dialysis blood flow) reduced uremic pruritus severity in hemodialysis patients—suggests systemic symptom benefit linked to toxin reduction.
- Sensitivity of Pharmacokinetics to Differences in the Particle Size Distribution for Formulations of Locally Acting Mometasone Furoate Suspension-Based Nasal Sprays
PubMed ID: 37773975
PK study used oral charcoal block to differentiate lung vs GI exposure — charcoal effective methodologically (supports adsorption concept).
- Determination of the Optimal Single Dose Treatment for Acoziborole, a Novel Drug for the Treatment of Human African Trypanosomiasis: First-in-Human Study
PubMed ID: 36763327
Activated charcoal substantially shortened acoziborole plasma half-life in healthy volunteers — strong PK evidence of adsorption and interruption of enterohepatic recirculation.
- Effect of Activated Charcoal on Mavacamten Pharmacokinetics in Healthy Participants
PubMed ID: 38926266
Healthy volunteer study: charcoal 2 h post‑dose substantially reduced mavacamten exposure—strong evidence for adsorption of recently ingested compounds.
- Activated carbon cloth versus silver-based dressings in a population with diabetic foot ulcer: a randomised controlled trial
PubMed ID: 38683771
Activated carbon cloth used topically in wounds demonstrated clinically meaningful removal/management of wound contaminants and better healing outcomes.
- Efficacy of novel activated bamboo charcoal in reducing uremic toxins and enhancing kidney function in chronic kidney disease patients: a pilot randomized controlled trial
PubMed ID: 40093417
Oral activated bamboo-charcoal reduced multiple gut-derived uremic toxins in an RCT—direct clinical evidence of adsorbing gut impurities.
- Bioequivalence of budesonide/glycopyrrolate/formoterol fumarate with a next-generation propellant versus hydrofluoroalkane-134a in healthy adults: phase I, randomized, double-blind, single-dose, partial-replicate, three-way cross-over lung exposure and total systemic exposure studies
PubMed ID: 41677208
Used repeated oral charcoal as a charcoal-block to remove swallowed fraction and estimate lung exposure—supports GI adsorption.
- Effect of activated charcoal on frusemide induced diuresis: a human class experiment for medical students
PubMed ID: 2223430
Charcoal given with furosemide essentially abolished diuretic effect—clear clinical proof of intestinal adsorption of the drug.
- Pediatric ingestions: charcoal alone versus ipecac and charcoal
PubMed ID: 1674842
Pediatric RCT: ipecac before charcoal reduced charcoal retention and delayed administration—supports charcoal as the preferred adsorbent intervention after ingestion.
- [Treatment of venous ulcera cruris with dry wound dressings. Phase overlapping use of silver impregnated activated charcoal xerodressing]
PubMed ID: 1938398
Silver‑impregnated activated charcoal dressing produced better epithelialization and reduced ulcer size—evidence for topical impurity removal.
- Prophylaxis with carbon-adsorbed mitomycin against peritoneal recurrence of gastric cancer
PubMed ID: 1347336
Mitomycin placed on charcoal in the peritoneum gave higher local concentrations and improved survival—demonstrates charcoal's adsorptive/local delivery properties.
- Treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia with repetitive oral activated charcoal as an adjunct to phototherapy
PubMed ID: 8229609
Oral charcoal accelerated bilirubin decline in jaundiced neonates (binding/enteral removal implied).
- Gastric emptying in acute overdose: a prospective randomised controlled trial
PubMed ID: 7565257
Large overdose RCT where charcoal was effective as gut decontaminant (clinical cleansing role).
- Comparison of three methods of gut decontamination in tricyclic antidepressant overdose
PubMed ID: 7775792
Charcoal included among decontamination strategies with similar outcomes in TCA overdose (practical cleansing use).
- The effect of activated charcoal on the absorption of fluoxetine, with special reference to delayed charcoal administration
PubMed ID: 8936562
Immediate charcoal nearly abolished fluoxetine absorption (>96% AUC reduction) — clear demonstration of adsorption of an unwanted compound.
- Prevention of amlodipine absorption by activated charcoal: effect of delay in charcoal administration
PubMed ID: 9056049
Immediate charcoal nearly eliminated amlodipine absorption (≈99% AUC reduction) — strong adsorption evidence.
- Selective drug delivery to peri-tumoral region and regional lymphatics by local injection of aclarubicin adsorbed on activated carbon particles in patients with breast cancer--a pilot study
PubMed ID: 9311442
Aclarubicin bound to activated carbon raised local drug levels and lowered plasma levels — demonstration of charcoal interacting with drug distribution/availability.
- Multiple-dose activated charcoal for treatment of yellow oleander poisoning: a single-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial
PubMed ID: 12801736
Large RCT: multiple‑dose activated charcoal reduced deaths/arrhythmias in oleander poisoning—strong, clinically meaningful gut adsorption evidence.
- [Prospective randomized trial of prophylaxis of postoperative peritoneal carcinomatosis of advanced gastric cancer: intraperitoneal chemotherapy with mitomycin C bound to activated carbon particles]
PubMed ID: 12882671
Activated carbon particles used as drug carrier improved oncologic outcomes — indicates charcoal binds/retains compounds locally.
- Efficacy of superactivated charcoal administered late (3 hours) after acetaminophen overdose
PubMed ID: 12811710
Superactivated charcoal given 3 h after acetaminophen significantly lowered serum acetaminophen levels — direct pharmacokinetic evidence of adsorption post‑ingestion.
- Effects of an activated charcoal silver dressing on chronic wounds with no clinical signs of infection
PubMed ID: 15575569
Charcoal‑containing dressings removed/reduced bacterial burden on wounds — direct topical impurity removal evidence.
- Equivalent lung deposition of budesonide in vivo: a comparison of dry powder inhalers using a pharmacokinetic method
PubMed ID: 15676038
Charcoal nearly completely blocked swallowed budesonide absorption (~96% blockade) — strong GI adsorption evidence.
- Pharmacokinetics of digoxin cross-reacting substances in patients with acute yellow Oleander (Thevetia peruviana) poisoning, including the effect of activated charcoal
PubMed ID: 17164695
Randomized trial in oleander poisoning: single/multiple‑dose AC shortened cardenolide exposure and residence time.
- Influence of smoking charcoal filter tipped cigarettes on various biomarkers of exposure
PubMed ID: 16774872
Charcoal cigarette filters reduced biomarkers of volatile smoke toxicants (benzene, 1,3‑butadiene), consistent with adsorption of volatile compounds.
- Compliance for single and multiple dose regimens of superactivated charcoal: a prospective study of patients in a clinical trial
PubMed ID: 17364629
Large observational dataset in poisoned patients documents real‑world ingestion and retention of charcoal (supports practical adsorption use but notes vomiting/retention issues).
- Multiple-dose activated charcoal in acute self-poisoning: a randomised controlled trial
PubMed ID: 18280328
Large RCT of routine MDAC in self‑poisoning showed no mortality benefit, but underlying pharmacology supports gut adsorption (no outcome effect).
- Efficacy of an activated charcoal-simethicone combination in dyspeptic syndrome: results of a randomized prospective study in general practice
PubMed ID: 19349130
Symptomatic benefit seen with a charcoal+simethicone product suggests charcoal may adsorb gas/compounds contributing to dyspepsia (but product combination limits attribution).
- Effect of activated charcoal dressings on healing outcomes of chronic wounds
PubMed ID: 20505594
Activated charcoal dressings improved early wound healing and were better tolerated—demonstrates topical impurity adsorption in wound care.
- Efficacy of a simethicone, activated charcoal and magnesium oxide combination (Carbosymag®) in functional dyspepsia: results of a general practice-based randomized trial
PubMed ID: 21478070
Carbosymag® (contains activated charcoal) reduced dyspepsia symptoms in an RCT, implying adsorption of problematic luminal compounds may be a mechanism.
- Effect of charcoal filter on the emergence from sevoflurane anesthesia in a semi-closed rebreathing circuit
PubMed ID: 21623611
Charcoal filter in breathing circuit adsorbed sevoflurane and sped emergence from anesthesia, showing charcoal adsorption of volatile anesthetic in a circuit.
- Effect of a brief outreach educational intervention on the translation of acute poisoning treatment guidelines to practice in rural Sri Lankan hospitals: a cluster randomized controlled trial
PubMed ID: 23990989
Cluster RCT increased appropriate clinical use of activated charcoal for poisoning—real‑world support for charcoal’s role in gut adsorption of toxins.
- Oral iodinated activated charcoal improves lung function in patients with COPD
PubMed ID: 24742364
Oral iodinated activated charcoal given 8 weeks linked to improved FEV1 in COPD trial—suggests systemic/enteral adsorption effects though mechanism not fully defined.
- Pharmacokinetic study for the establishment of bioequivalence of two inhalation treatments containing budesonide plus formoterol
PubMed ID: 25109416
Large PK crossover used oral charcoal as GI block—evidence that single‑dose charcoal can adsorb swallowed drug.
- Bioequivalence of budesonide plus formoterol (BF) Spiromax® and BF Turbohaler® (with and without charcoal block) in healthy volunteers
PubMed ID: 26042485
PK studies used oral charcoal to block GI absorption for bioequivalence testing—methodological evidence for adsorption in gut.
- Equivalent Lung Dose and Systemic Exposure of Budesonide/Formoterol Combination via Easyhaler and Turbuhaler
PubMed ID: 25757188
Healthy‑volunteer PK studies: oral charcoal regimen blocked swallowed drug absorption ≈99%—strong evidence charcoal adsorbs substances in the GI tract.
- Effects of oral activated charcoal on hyperphosphatemia and vascular calcification in Chinese patients with stage 3-4 chronic kidney disease
PubMed ID: 30588573
Oral activated charcoal in CKD reduced serum phosphate progression and vascular calcification—supports intestinal phosphate adsorption.
- Protection of the Human Gut Microbiome From Antibiotics
PubMed ID: 29186529
High‑quality RCT: ileal DAV132 reduced fecal antibiotic exposure >99% without altering plasma levels—strong evidence of colonic adsorption.
- Evaluation of Food and Spherical Carbon Adsorbent Effects on the Pharmacokinetics of Roxadustat in Healthy Nonelderly Adult Male Japanese Subjects
PubMed ID: 29966038
Spherical carbon adsorbent caused small (≈5–10%) reductions in drug exposure—evidence of adsorption but modest for that drug.
- Effect of a spacer on total systemic and lung bioavailability in healthy volunteers and in vitro performance of the Symbicort(®) (budesonide/formoterol) pressurized metered dose inhaler
PubMed ID: 30077809
Spacer PK study used charcoal block to estimate lung vs gut absorption; charcoal clearly reduced swallowed fraction—evidence of gut adsorption ability.
- Evaluation of systemic absorption and bronchodilator effect of glycopyrronium bromide delivered by nebulizer or a dry powder inhaler in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
PubMed ID: 31253162
Oral activated charcoal reduced systemic exposure by ~10% by blocking GI uptake of inhaled drug—good human evidence of adsorption in gut.
- Bioequivalence of fluticasone propionate and salmeterol (FS) given by the FS Spiromax® and Seretide Accuhaler® systems
PubMed ID: 30431426
Charcoal-block arms used to distinguish lung vs GI absorption; indicates effective GI adsorption though used as a methodological tool.
- Distinct patterns of short-chain fatty acids during flare in patients with ulcerative colitis under treatment with mesalamine or a herbal combination of myrrh, chamomile flowers, and coffee charcoal: secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial
PubMed ID: 31688306
Herbal mix that included coffee charcoal was associated with preserved fecal SCFAs during flare versus mesalamine alone—suggests charcoal-related gut effects though multi‑component.
- Relative Bioavailability of Budesonide/Glycopyrrolate/Formoterol Fumarate Metered Dose Inhaler Administered With and Without a Spacer: Results of a Phase I, Randomized, Crossover Trial in Healthy Adults
PubMed ID: 32253054
Charcoal-block arms quantified GI contribution to systemic exposure (MDI/spacer study) — supports gut adsorption mechanism.
- Bioequivalence studies of inhaled indacaterol maleate in healthy Chinese volunteers under gastrointestinal non-blocking or blocking with concomitant charcoal administration
PubMed ID: 32045673
Duplicate entry (see above) — included again because of multiple direct demonstrations of GI adsorption.
Stomach comfort (8)
- Bioequivalence studies of inhaled indacaterol maleate in healthy Chinese volunteers under gastrointestinal non-blocking or blocking with concomitant charcoal administration
PubMed ID: 32045673
Optimized activated charcoal regimen demonstrated strong acute GI adsorption preventing systemic absorption — supports short-term use for occasional upset/toxin adsorption.
- Effect of a brief outreach educational intervention on the translation of acute poisoning treatment guidelines to practice in rural Sri Lankan hospitals: a cluster randomized controlled trial
PubMed ID: 23990989
Cluster RCT showed increased appropriate use of activated charcoal for poisoned patients in low‑resource settings—evidence charcoal is used clinically for acute oral exposures (support for occasional acute GI upset/ingestion).
- Efficacy of a simethicone, activated charcoal and magnesium oxide combination (Carbosymag®) in functional dyspepsia: results of a general practice-based randomized trial
PubMed ID: 21478070
Carbosymag RCT: clinically meaningful symptom reduction for functional dyspepsia—applicable to occasional stomach upset.
- Efficacy of an activated charcoal-simethicone combination in dyspeptic syndrome: results of a randomized prospective study in general practice
PubMed ID: 19349130
Charcoal+simethicone showed sustained improvements in dyspepsia and post‑treatment complaints compared with placebo.
- [Controlled clinical testing of an antidiarrheal]
PubMed ID: 16739360
Randomized double‑blind trial found activated charcoal shortened diarrhea duration and symptom scores in adults with nonspecific diarrhea — direct clinical support for using charcoal for occasional GI upset.
- Charcoal tablets in the treatment of patients with irritable bowel syndrome
PubMed ID: 12539884
Randomized IBS trial: charcoal tablet product modestly improved IBS symptoms versus nonactivated charcoal—moderate clinical support for symptomatic digestive upset.
- Pediatric ingestions: charcoal alone versus ipecac and charcoal
PubMed ID: 1674842
In pediatric ingestion management, using charcoal alone hastened treatment and reduced vomiting of charcoal—clinically relevant GI management evidence.
- Modeling the Effect of DAV132, a Novel Colon-Targeted Adsorbent, on Fecal Concentrations of Moxifloxacin and Gut Microbiota Diversity in Healthy Volunteers
PubMed ID: 32617960
Colon-targeted DAV132 reduced fecal antibiotics/preserved microbiota—supports concept of using targeted adsorbents to limit gut disturbances that can occur during travel (indirect).
Digestive support (6)
- [Controlled clinical testing of an antidiarrheal]
PubMed ID: 16739360
Randomized trial in acute nonspecific diarrhea: fewer stools, shorter illness, improved symptoms vs placebo.
- Efficacy of an activated charcoal-simethicone combination in dyspeptic syndrome: results of a randomized prospective study in general practice
PubMed ID: 19349130
Randomized placebo‑controlled trial: activated charcoal+simethicone improved dyspeptic symptoms including fullness/bloating.
- Efficacy of a simethicone, activated charcoal and magnesium oxide combination (Carbosymag®) in functional dyspepsia: results of a general practice-based randomized trial
PubMed ID: 21478070
Large RCT: simethicone+activated charcoal product reduced overall dyspeptic symptom intensity vs placebo.
- Distinct patterns of short-chain fatty acids during flare in patients with ulcerative colitis under treatment with mesalamine or a herbal combination of myrrh, chamomile flowers, and coffee charcoal: secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial
PubMed ID: 31688306
Herbal mix including coffee charcoal preserved fecal SCFA during flare (small study) — suggests potential support for gut/metabolic markers linked to comfort.
- Modeling the Effect of DAV132, a Novel Colon-Targeted Adsorbent, on Fecal Concentrations of Moxifloxacin and Gut Microbiota Diversity in Healthy Volunteers
PubMed ID: 32617960
DAV132 preserved microbiota diversity when adsorbing antibiotics, which could indirectly support digestive comfort by protecting gut ecology.
- Charcoal tablets in the treatment of patients with irritable bowel syndrome
PubMed ID: 12539884
IBS patients reported symptomatic improvement (~60%) with activated‑charcoal product.
Bowel regularity (4)
- Pharmacokinetics and Lung Deposition After Administration of Inhaled Mosliciguat (BAY 1237592): Results from Randomized Phase I Studies in Healthy Men
PubMed ID: 40402373
Phase I PK studies used charcoal to remove swallowed fraction—supports use as a GI adsorbent relevant to colon-cleansing claims.
- A Colon-Targeted Adsorbent (DAV132) Does Not Affect the Pharmacokinetics of Warfarin or Clonazepam in Healthy Subjects
PubMed ID: 33434399
DAV132 did not change systemic warfarin/clonazepam exposure, consistent with colon-targeted adsorption (supporting targeted colon cleansing without proximal drug interference).
- Modeling the Effect of DAV132, a Novel Colon-Targeted Adsorbent, on Fecal Concentrations of Moxifloxacin and Gut Microbiota Diversity in Healthy Volunteers
PubMed ID: 32617960
DAV132 (colon-targeted activated-charcoal adsorbent) substantially reduced fecal antibiotic levels and protected microbiota diversity—strong relevance to colon-targeted cleansing/adsorption.
- Protection of the Human Gut Microbiome From Antibiotics
PubMed ID: 29186529
Ileal DAV132 almost eliminated fecal antibiotic exposure and preserved microbiome—strong evidence for targeted colonic adsorption/cleansing.
Skin soothing (4)
- Activated carbon cloth versus silver-based dressings in a population with diabetic foot ulcer: a randomised controlled trial
PubMed ID: 38683771
Activated carbon cloth dressings led to greater wound area reduction and higher healing rates vs silver dressings in a small RCT — supports topical carbon removing/isolating harmful substances on skin surfaces in a therapeutic context.
- Superabsorbent charcoal dressing versus silver foam dressing in wound area reduction: a randomised controlled trial
PubMed ID: 35148626
Activated-carbon cloth wound dressing produced faster reductions in wound and maceration area vs standard dressing (clinical effect on surface wound cleanliness).
- Effects of an activated charcoal silver dressing on chronic wounds with no clinical signs of infection
PubMed ID: 15575569
Randomized study: activated‑charcoal silver dressing produced substantially more wounds with reduced bacterial levels vs control — direct evidence that charcoal-containing dressings remove surface impurities/bacterial load.
- [Treatment of venous ulcera cruris with dry wound dressings. Phase overlapping use of silver impregnated activated charcoal xerodressing]
PubMed ID: 1938398
Randomized trial showed charcoal-containing dressing improved ulcer epithelialization and reduced exudate/impurities from wound surface.
Bloating & gas (3)
- Efficacy of an activated charcoal-simethicone combination in dyspeptic syndrome: results of a randomized prospective study in general practice
PubMed ID: 19349130
RCT of activated charcoal+simethicone (Carbosylane) showed significant reductions in bloating/fullness vs placebo.
- Efficacy of a simethicone, activated charcoal and magnesium oxide combination (Carbosymag®) in functional dyspepsia: results of a general practice-based randomized trial
PubMed ID: 21478070
Large primary‑care RCT of a simethicone+activated charcoal product (Carbosymag) showed reduced post‑prandial fullness and bloating.
- Charcoal tablets in the treatment of patients with irritable bowel syndrome
PubMed ID: 12539884
Randomized IBS trial showed ~60% symptom improvement (likely includes bloating).
Weight management (2)
- Efficacy of a simethicone, activated charcoal and magnesium oxide combination (Carbosymag®) in functional dyspepsia: results of a general practice-based randomized trial
PubMed ID: 21478070
Product containing activated charcoal improved post‑prandial symptoms in a clinical trial; may translate to transient relief after heavy meals though charcoal contribution is uncertain.
- Bioequivalence studies of inhaled indacaterol maleate in healthy Chinese volunteers under gastrointestinal non-blocking or blocking with concomitant charcoal administration
PubMed ID: 32045673
Optimized activated-charcoal regimen effectively blocked swallowed indacaterol absorption (pilot showed undetectable plasma levels) — strong evidence of acute GI adsorption when given after ingestion.
Oral health (1)
- Effect of Blue Covarine Toothpastes on Tooth Colour: A Randomised Crossover Study
PubMed ID: 40834827
Crossover trial showed immediate, perceptible tooth-whitening with toothpastes containing blue covarine and charcoal/clay—strong direct evidence for surface whitening effect.
Similar by evidence
Supplements the same benefits carry qualifying findings for — a fact about the evidence graph, not a recommendation to swap.
Products with Activated Charcoal
Search all333 products whose verified label declares Activated Charcoal — not every bottle that mentions it in a title.
Being studied right now
Recruiting clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. A trial in progress has no result yet — this is what the field is asking, not what it found.