ACTIVATED CHARCOAL
Place in Therapy
Place in Therapy
Activated charcoal works by absorbing intestinal gas, thereby in theory decreasing flatulence and reducing abdominal pain caused by excess gas in the intestines.1 The place in therapy for treating excess gas is unclear because there is conflicting evidence among clinical data. While some studies indicate that activated charcoal may be beneficial in reducing gas, other studies indicate that there is no benefit.1 A study done by Suarez et al. found that activated charcoal was ineffective at reducing gas when given at a dose of 2.1g per day. This study suggests that there is a possibility that higher doses might demonstrate efficacy, and future trials may benefit from addressing this possibility.2
Patients who suffer from excess flatulence and abdominal pain may benefit from trying activated charcoal if other treatments fail. However, it is clear that further studies are warranted to more precisely determine the place in therapy as well to establish accurate dosing guidelines.
References
1. Fardy J, Sullivan S. Gastrointestinal gas. CMAJ 1988; 139: 1137-1141.
2. Suarez FL, Furne J, Springfield J, Levitt MD. Failure of activated charcoal to reduce the release of gases produced by the colonic flora. Am J Gastroenterol 1999; 94(1): 208-212.
3. Lexi-Comp. Activated Charcoal. http://online.lexi.com.proxy.lib.uwaterloo.ca/lco/action/doc/retrieve/docid/patch_f/6579#f_adverse-reactions. Accessed 4 July 2012.
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Activated charcoal works by absorbing intestinal gas, thereby in theory decreasing flatulence and reducing abdominal pain caused by excess gas in the intestines.1 The place in therapy for treating excess gas is unclear because there is conflicting evidence among clinical data. While some studies indicate that activated charcoal may be beneficial in reducing gas, other studies indicate that there is no benefit.1 A study done by Suarez et al. found that activated charcoal was ineffective at reducing gas when given at a dose of 2.1g per day. This study suggests that there is a possibility that higher doses might demonstrate efficacy, and future trials may benefit from addressing this possibility.2
Patients who suffer from excess flatulence and abdominal pain may benefit from trying activated charcoal if other treatments fail. However, it is clear that further studies are warranted to more precisely determine the place in therapy as well to establish accurate dosing guidelines.
References
1. Fardy J, Sullivan S. Gastrointestinal gas. CMAJ 1988; 139: 1137-1141.
2. Suarez FL, Furne J, Springfield J, Levitt MD. Failure of activated charcoal to reduce the release of gases produced by the colonic flora. Am J Gastroenterol 1999; 94(1): 208-212.
3. Lexi-Comp. Activated Charcoal. http://online.lexi.com.proxy.lib.uwaterloo.ca/lco/action/doc/retrieve/docid/patch_f/6579#f_adverse-reactions. Accessed 4 July 2012.
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