activated charcoal

Activated charcoal is a highly porous carbonaceous material with an extensive surface area (typically 800–1600 m²/g) that functions as a non-specific gastrointestinal adsorbent. In emergency medicine, it is administered orally to treat acute poisoning and drug overdoses by binding a wide variety of chemicals and toxins within the gut, thereby preventing their systemic absorption. A specialized pharmaceutical formulation, **AST-120** (Kremezin), consists of porous spherical carbon particles (0.2–0.4 mm) and is primarily indicated for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). AST-120 specifically adsorbs uremic toxin precursors, such as indole, in the gastrointestinal tract, which reduces the systemic accumulation of indoxyl sulfate and p-cresol sulfate. This mechanism helps to mitigate systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, and the progression of renal failure. Beyond CKD, activated charcoal has been investigated for managing perianal fistulae in Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and hepatic encephalopathy.

Brand names

KremezinCharcoCapsActidose-AquaEucarbon

Other names

spherical carbon adsorbentmedicinal charcoalactive charcoalcarbo activatus