DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Activated Charcoal and Activated Charcoal/Sorbitol Suspension (CHAR-kole and CHAR-kole/SOR-bi-tole)
Brand Name: Actidose-Aqua and Actidose-Sorbitol

Activated Charcoal and Activated Charcoal/Sorbitol Suspension is used for:

Treating poisoning or overdose in certain circumstances.

Activated Charcoal and Activated Charcoal/Sorbitol Suspension is an adsorbent. It works by binding with the poison in the stomach to decrease absorption of the poison into the body. Some brands of Activated Charcoal and Activated Charcoal/Sorbitol Suspension also contain a laxative, which helps to move the charcoal and poison out of the stomach and intestines more quickly.

Do NOT use Activated Charcoal and Activated Charcoal/Sorbitol Suspension if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Activated Charcoal and Activated Charcoal/Sorbitol Suspension

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Activated Charcoal and Activated Charcoal/Sorbitol Suspension:

Some medical conditions may interact with Activated Charcoal and Activated Charcoal/Sorbitol Suspension. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Activated Charcoal and Activated Charcoal/Sorbitol Suspension. However, no specific interactions with Activated Charcoal and Activated Charcoal/Sorbitol Suspension are known at this time.

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Activated Charcoal and Activated Charcoal/Sorbitol Suspension may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Activated Charcoal and Activated Charcoal/Sorbitol Suspension:

Use Activated Charcoal and Activated Charcoal/Sorbitol Suspension as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Shake well before using.
• Use a measuring device marked for medicine dosing. Ask your pharmacist for help if you are unsure of how to measure this dose.
• If you miss a dose of Activated Charcoal and Activated Charcoal/Sorbitol Suspension, contact your doctor right away.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Activated Charcoal and Activated Charcoal/Sorbitol Suspension.

Important safety information:

• Activated Charcoal and Activated Charcoal/Sorbitol Suspension may cause your stools to turn black.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant while taking Activated Charcoal and Activated Charcoal/Sorbitol Suspension, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Activated Charcoal and Activated Charcoal/Sorbitol Suspension during pregnancy. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Activated Charcoal and Activated Charcoal/Sorbitol Suspension, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Activated Charcoal and Activated Charcoal/Sorbitol Suspension:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Constipation; diarrhea; temporary darkening of the stool; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue).

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Activated Charcoal and Activated Charcoal/Sorbitol Suspension:

Store Activated Charcoal and Activated Charcoal/Sorbitol Suspension at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Keep Activated Charcoal and Activated Charcoal/Sorbitol Suspension out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Activated Charcoal and Activated Charcoal/Sorbitol Suspension, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Activated Charcoal and Activated Charcoal/Sorbitol Suspension is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Activated Charcoal and Activated Charcoal/Sorbitol Suspension. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.