Activated Charcoal 101: Functions, Benefits, Risks, Where To Buy

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Activated charcoal used in an at-home setting can be risky, says McWhorter.

“My general guidance is to approach with caution. Activated charcoal isn’t a magic bullet, and it’s not something to take casually,” he says. “Anyone considering it should first talk to a qualified healthcare provider or a registered dietitian to weigh risks and benefits in the context of their health history.”

It’s also worth noting that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not approve the safety or effectiveness of activated charcoal supplements before they are sold. In fact, activated charcoal has not been approved for any medical uses outside of hospital settings. So, be sure to speak with your doctor before starting an activated charcoal supplement.

Risks

Women who are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding should consult with their healthcare provider before using activated charcoal, even in the short term. The same goes for anyone with a condition that slows the passage of food through the intestine (such as gastroparesis).

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 Because of safety concerns, there is limited research on how activated charcoal may affect this segment of the population. So, the potential risks and side effects are unknown.

Activated charcoal interacts with hormonal birth control medications and may lower their efficacy. Therefore, it’s recommended that activated charcoal be taken at least three hours after or 12 hours before any birth control medication. Also, before doing so, it’s important to check with your doctor to see if activated charcoal is safe to take with your birth control medication.

Activated charcoal may interact with other medications, including those used to treat diabetes (acarbose), mental health conditions or disorders (aripiprazole and olanzapine), epilepsy and other seizure disorders (carbamazepine), leprosy (dapsone), and heart issues (digoxin).

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Talk to your doctor before trying activated charcoal supplements if you take these or other medications. Your provider may suggest taking the supplement at least one hour after oral medications or avoiding activated charcoal entirely.

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If you’d like to try activated charcoal, you should do so under the supervision of a medical professional. “While it’s relatively safe in acute medical use, routine or unsupervised use is not recommended,” McWhorter says.

Side Effects

Here are some of the side effects that are associated with activated charcoal supplements:

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  • Black tongue
  • Black poop
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Nutrient loss from activated charcoal absorbing both good and bad substances in the body
  • Constipation
  • Gastrointestinal blockages (if used regularly or excessively)
  • Allergic reactions (such as skin rashes, itching or hives, or swelling of the face, lips, or tongue)

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