Contraindications of activated carbon and its side effects

Activated carbon is a porous enterosorbent with high detoxification properties. Due to this, the drug is very popular, but in some cases it is recommended to refrain from its use. Let us consider in more detail the contra-indications of activated carbon and the undesirable consequences of taking.

What diseases and activated charcoal are incompatible?

With peptic ulcers of the stomach and duodenum, ulcerative colitis, pancreatitis, the reception of activated charcoal is categorically contraindicated. The reason for this is that the drug stains the stools in black. A similar color can also be observed with ulcer bleeding, since in this case the stool is mixed with the blood that has been digested in the intestine and takes the form of tar. Coal can mask bleeding, and time for emergency care to the patient will be missed. For the same reason, it is impossible to take coal with bleeding of the gastrointestinal tract of various etiologies. These contra-indications of activated carbon do not apply to other sorbents - Smecta, Enterosgel, Polysorb. In case of individual intolerance caused by hypersensitivity to the drug, it is also necessary to refuse to take it.

Side effects

Activated carbon has one significant drawback. Not having selectivity, he absorbs everything in a row - both toxins and useful substances. As a result of absorption of useful vitamins, fats, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamin deficiency and metabolic disorders can develop. To avoid this, it is recommended to take the coal in short courses. To reduce the contact of the drug with nutrients, you should not combine the reception of coal with food. The gap should be at least an hour. The same rule applies to the combination of coal with other drugs (contraceptive, cardiac, vascular), as it reduces their effectiveness. And simultaneous reception of coal with antitoxins, antidotes is inadmissible at all. Proceeding from this and considering the contraindications of activated charcoal, it is recommended only a short-term course for poisoning and food infections. Also, the reception of activated charcoal can provoke or intensify constipation. In such cases it will be more correct to regulate the stool with the help of slack products (prunes, beets, kefir).

Can I lose weight from activated carbon?

Weight loss from activated carbon is really possible, but not much. The mechanism of action of the drug is based on the reduction in calorie content of food due to adsorption and excretion of fats. But there is a downside to this diet. Together with fats, vitamins and minerals are necessary for the body. As a result, along with caloric content, the nutritional value of foods is impoverished. Therefore, the use of activated carbon for weight loss is a controversial issue. Do not forget that this is a drug recommended for use in certain cases. Deciding on the "coal diet", you need to take into account the contraindications of activated carbon and the possible consequences for the body.