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Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal adsorbs toxins and drugs in the gastrointestinal tract, preventing their absorption into the bloodstream.
Activated charcoal adsorbs toxins and drugs in the gastrointestinal tract, preventing their absorption into the bloodstream. Used for Acute poisoning and overdose management (multiple drugs and toxins), Gastrointestinal decontamination following oral ingestion of toxic substances.
At a glance
| Generic name | Activated Charcoal |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Charcoal, Medical grade AC, "Activated Charcoal Powder, USP", activated carbon, AC, Charclone® |
| Sponsor | State University of New York - Upstate Medical University |
| Drug class | Adsorbent antidote |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Toxicology / Emergency Medicine |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Activated charcoal is a highly porous carbon material that binds various substances through physical adsorption on its large surface area. When ingested, it traps drugs, poisons, and other compounds in the GI tract, reducing systemic absorption and allowing elimination via feces. This mechanism makes it effective for acute poisoning and overdose management.
Approved indications
- Acute poisoning and overdose management (multiple drugs and toxins)
- Gastrointestinal decontamination following oral ingestion of toxic substances
Common side effects
- Black discoloration of stool
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal discomfort
Key clinical trials
- Efficacy and Safety Studies of Frexalimab (SAR441344) in Adults With Relapsing Forms of Multiple Sclerosis (PHASE3)
- Activated CHARcoal in Poisoned Patient - Pilot Trial (PHASE4)
- Evaluation of Bacterial Contamination and Antimicrobial Efficacy on Charcoal-Infused vs, Standard Nylon Toothbrush Bristles. (NA)
- Cigarette Filter Study (NA)
- Combined Gastrointestinal Decontamination in Acute Severe Poisoning (PHASE2)
- Phase I Study of CPD704 Inhalation Suspension in Healthy Subjects (PHASE1)
- Charcoal Toothbrushes and Bacterial Contamination: a Clinical Trial. (NA)
- Evaluation of the Health Effects of the Air Purifier in Preterm Infants After Discharge (NA)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Activated Charcoal CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Activated Charcoal updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- State University of New York - Upstate Medical University portfolio CI