Activated carbon: the right dosage of “medicine from the past” and its modern forms

It is high doses of the drug that make the modern consumer doubt the feasibility of its use for medicinal purposes. Doctors also reinforce doubts by offering other medicines that require lower dosages for admission, but cost several times more. Does coal really lose to them in terms of adsorption abilities?

Features of the drug

Activated carbon is a porous hydrocarbon compound whose hexagonal atomic structures form incorrectly displaced layers. For example, the structure of another hydrocarbon compound - graphite - involves parallel layers of atoms, which is why its adsorption capabilities are not comparable to those of coal. Its discrepancies between the layers form pores of different sizes. Scientists distinguish:

• micropores;
• mesopores;
• macropores.

It is the variety of sizes of porous holes that provides universal adsorption - coal is able to accumulate particles up to nanometer in size, as well as macromolecules of organic compounds. In addition, the branching of the holes and high surface activity provide a huge area of ​​contact with gaseous and liquid media, as a result - the latter are cleaned of almost any impurities.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the characteristic of coal indifference:

• inert - the substance does not react with molecules of an organic or chemical nature;
• not selective to state - equally actively interacts with both liquids and gases;
• does not interact further - binds substances without transforming them, preventing the appearance of more toxic forms;
• safe for fabrics - does not have irritating properties, therefore it does not damage the mucous membranes.

The listed properties of the drug make it ideal for detoxification of the human body.

Raw material activation

The adsorption properties of any substance depend on the area of ​​contact of its molecules with the medium being cleaned. Charcoal has a lot of internal passages that are large in size, and the total area of ​​contact is limited by closed external pores and an insufficient number of micropores.

To increase the adsorption capacity, ordinary charcoal is activated - it is treated with water vapor at the highest temperature conditions, reaching 1000 ° C under the condition of complete absence of oxygen. Thanks to this processing, special changes take place with raw materials:

• pores appear - surface ones open and the number of macroholes increases, and a huge number of micropores also appear;
• total area increases - the adsorption surface increases to 1000-2000 m² per 1 g of the obtained substance.

Indications

The drug is able to absorb a huge amount of substances:

• endogenous toxins;
• gaseous products of rotting and fermentation processes;
• alkaloid compounds;
• any types of glycosides;
• heavy metals in the form of salts;
• salicylic acid salts;
• barbiturates;
• organic compounds.

It acts only in the intestine, is not absorbed into the blood, it is invariably excreted by the body during defecation for 24-48 hours after ingestion.

In this regard, activated carbon is taken to eliminate or alleviate the symptoms of a number of pathological conditions.

• Gastritis. Especially if irritation of the mucosa provokes increased secretion of hydrochloric acid.
• Flatulence. Often flatulence manifests itself with overeating, poor diet, disorders of the intestinal microflora, as well as enzymatic insufficiency of the digestive processes. Taking the drug eases the condition as it enters the intestines - the less food eaten before intake, the faster the increased gas formation will be eliminated.
• Diarrhea. The etiology does not matter at the same time, since the drug will be appropriate both for poisoning and for an increased water content in the intestine, provoked by the use of laxatives.
• Foodborne Toxic Infection. This includes dysentery, salmonellosis.
• Chemical poisoning. For example, salts of heavy metals, alcohol, nitrogen-containing compounds. It is important to know that the concentration of toxic substances in blood plasma decreases only after a few doses of high doses of coal. And even if the remedy is taken from a hangover, a single dose will not be enough.
• Burns. Severe burns, with a large area of ​​damage, require the use of adsorbents to eliminate toxemia and septicotoxemia - poisoning with toxins of endogenous origin.
• Hepatitis. Hepatitis of viral, medicinal, alcoholic origin, as well as cirrhosis of the liver are often accompanied by hyperbilirubinemia.
• Allergy. The tool is used to bind and remove possible provocateurs of an allergic reaction, if there is a suspicion that allergens come with food. It is used for complex therapy of atopic dermatitis, urticaria of unknown cause, bronchial asthma.

Also, coal is taken before the examination. The drug is used in advance in order to eliminate increased gas formation in the intestine, which prevents obtaining adequate results of ultrasound, magnetic resonance and x-ray studies.

Application rules

Activated carbon is considered one of the safest drugs on the entire pharmaceutical market. Naturally, to confirm this characteristic, its correct application is necessary.

• During pregnancy. Admission is not contraindicated during periods of gestation and lactation, but requires prior coordination with the doctor.
• In childhood. Due to the fine dispersion of activated carbon when taken by children, there is a risk of asphyxiation. Therefore, the child needs to be given a powder dissolved in a small amount of water.
• Contraindications The drug should not be taken orally if the patient is diagnosed with a stomach ulcer, duodenal ulcer, ulcerative colitis or intestinal atony.
• Adverse Reactions Coal turns stool black. It can also provoke constipation, so during therapy it is necessary to take care of the optimal drinking regime and a balanced diet.

Uncontrolled and improper use of the drug can lead to health problems.

• Small doses. If the drug is taken in insufficient doses over a heavy meal, there is a risk of desorption of toxins.They come out of the coal pores and again penetrate the mucous membranes. That is why with acute poisoning, primary gastric lavage with coal is recommended, after which its internal use to create an effective concentration inside the intestine.
• Long reception. Often accompanies different methods for losing weight. It is important to understand that coal absorbs not only harmful substances, but also useful, necessary ones. In addition to metal salts and bacterial toxins, the substance adsorbs vitamins, minerals, amino acids, which is fraught with the development of vitamin deficiency, impaired immune system, the occurrence of anemia.
• Irrational reception. Any doses of coal are taken two hours before or two hours after eating, taking medications, vitamin and mineral complexes. If you ignore this recommendation, the effectiveness of other drugs decreases, and the absorbed food loses a large amount of useful substances.

Given the fact that activated carbon is excreted unchanged by the body, the risk of an overdose is excluded.

Dosage and method of taking the drug

How many grams are in one tablet and is there a lethal dose? Dosage depends on the purpose of taking the drug, as well as the age of the patient.

Children

On average, the dose of coal for a child is usually calculated from the norm - 0.05 g per 1 kg of body weight. That is, one tablet is designed for 5 kg of a child’s weight. The medicine should be washed down with a glass of clean water (at least).

• Children from three to seven years. The usual dose (for flatulence, allergies, gastritis) is two to four tablets three or four times a day. With diarrhea, the dose can be increased to five tablets four times a day. In acute poisoning, children from three to seven years old are supposed to take 15 g of the drug per day - three times 5 g each, that is, 20 tablets of 250 mg each.
• Children from seven to 14 years old. The standard dose is four tablets four times a day. With diarrhea, five to six tablets four times a day. In case of poisoning - 7 g of powder three times a day.

Adults

The most common misconception is believed that an adult is enough to take one tablet of coal per 10 kg of body weight.

• Usual dose. Six tablets four times a day. It is used for allergies, to eliminate flatulence, in preparation for research.
• Increased dose. It is prescribed for gastritis and high acidity. It is 2 g of activated carbon for four times a day. That is, eight tablets, four times - a total of 32 tablets.
• Maximum dose. In case of poisoning, they drink 20-30 g of the drug (from 80 to 120 tablets). It is ground into a powder, diluted with a glass of water and taken orally or used for gastric lavage. After its complete purification, a repeated dose of the same dose of the drug should be taken.

Release Forms

The most affordable in terms of price is ordinary activated carbon in tablet form, which contains 250 mg of pure active substance, as well as auxiliary components. The inconvenience of taking pills is due to the need to pre-grind them. Suspension can be difficult to drink, so pharmaceutical manufacturers have created encapsulated forms.

• Sorbex. One capsule of the drug contains 250 mg of activated carbon in granular form. Due to this, not only the area of ​​the adsorbing surface increases, but also the activity of the drug is prolonged. This is justified by the additional disintegration of granules inside the body. The standard dosage for an adult is two to three capsules at a time. The drug exhibits more active detoxifying properties compared to charcoal tablets.
• Extrasorb. Activated carbon capsules, available in a variety of dosages: 110 mg, 220 mg, 250 mg per capsule.
• Ultra-Adsorb. 200 mg capsule form. The standard dose for an adult is two to three capsules per reception.
• "Carbopect". The dose of activated charcoal in one capsule is 110 mg, so four to eight capsules for an adult are recommended for a single dose. The maximum single dose is 32 capsules of the drug.
• "Carbolong." Available in the form of activated carbon powder, packaged in packages of 5 g. The most convenient dosage form for the elimination of acute intoxication. The recommended dose for an adult is one to two packets per reception three times a day. Children from seven years old can take one packet three times a day. The powder should be diluted in half a glass of water.

Additional features of the sorbent

In addition to medical purposes, the drug is used in households.

• To eliminate unpleasant odors. Activated carbon will help get rid of the musty, damp and moldy smell in the room, refrigerator, near bins. To do this, carbon powder is filled into a flat container and set it in the right place. It is recommended to replace the contents of the dishes every three days until the odors are completely eliminated or dry the used charcoal in the oven at 200 ºС.
• To absorb moisture. With insufficient ventilation in the room, moisture quickly accumulates, becoming the cause of the development of mold. It is recommended to place charcoal containers in humid areas. It is advisable to put them in the corners, under the windowsills, near the dryer with linen, if you have to dry it in the house.
• For cleaning shoes. There are special insoles with a layer of activated carbon. They provide good ventilation of the foot, prevent sweating and unpleasant odors. Also, to eliminate an unpleasant odor or prevent its appearance, you can put a linen bag filled with charcoal in your shoes at night. The same manipulation will help to dry a wet boot faster.

Using activated charcoal to treat disorders or other purposes, do not forget that it is a drug and, despite its safety, requires strict adherence to the recommendations of the instructions. Before using the product in children, it is important to consult a pediatrician.

Other medications