Iodinated activated charcoal

Iodinated activated charcoal (IAC) is a modified form of activated charcoal in which iodine is incorporated into the structure. Activated charcoal itself is an amorphous carbon material with a highly porous surface, used primarily as a gastric decontaminant to treat poisonings by adsorbing drugs and toxins in the gastrointestinal tract[2][3][4]. Iodinated activated charcoal has been studied for additional therapeutic effects; notably, an oral formulation was shown in a double-blind randomized controlled trial to significantly improve lung function in patients with moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as measured by FEV1 improvement compared to placebo[5]. The mechanism of action for this effect remains unclear but appears distinct from standard COPD therapies. Some patients experienced transient abnormal thyroid hormone levels during treatment, likely related to iodine content[5].

Brand names

IodoCarb

Other names

iodinated active charcoalIAC