The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Activated Charcoal
Posted by Doc Mark (Phoenix) on 01/04/2018
★★★★★
Activated charcoal has an incredibly long shelf life as along as it's kept dry and not in an extremely hot area. That being said - it can loose some potency after years on a shelf. Like 3-5 years or more. Depending on the conditions it's stored under.
If all you have is some aging caps or powder, I would assume that "something is better than nothing" and use it, probably adjusting upwards for dosage until I was giving the patient close to 2 grams of th "old stuff" at a time. But also wait about 4 hours between this large dose to avoid getting an impaction... just in case it's more potent than we think. As soon as you can replace the aging bottle and it's contents, the better, obviously. But if it was me or my family suffering and becoming dehydrated and worse - I'd definitely try the aged A.C., vs doing nothing. Worst case it will not work as well or as quickly as fresh product might. But it will help at least until you can get new product. As always, this is not medical advice, just general knowledge about how medications age and loose their potency. IF YOU SEE dehydration, bloody stools, loss of balance, or change in personality, etc., these can be signs of a serious problem and the patient needs to be evaluated by a med team in an OR or Urgent Care setting if possible. Severe dehydration can be life-threatening if not treated. Do not hesitate to take the patient into the ER if you see that the meds are not working and the dumping of liquids continues.
Activated Charcoal
Posted by Scot (Singapore) on 03/14/2017
★★★★★
I didn't face food poisoning issue in my entire life, but my wife did. Actually it's a common problem for her. Last year a Japanese Physician actually suggested her to try Activated Charcoal and it really worked. I purchased activated charcoal online from amazon and it actually stopped the vomiting issue of my wife. But yes, it takes little time to ride out from Nausea.
Activated Charcoal
Posted by Kw (Lethbridge, Ab) on 08/03/2015
★★★★★
A little background:
I have a very sensitive stomach and get food poisoning often, it is something I am working on fixing. My husband and I can eat the exact same thing and while he wont feel a thing I will be running to the bathroom every 15 minutes.
I found that if I take 1 capsule of Activated Charcoal as soon as symptoms start coming on I feel immediate relief. Often times I will take a second cap about an hour after the first. Nausea can stay with me for about 8 hours but the vomiting and diarrhea are 100% gone. It is so effective that I always take Activated Charcoal with me camping and in the truck, it works every time! I have to share my success as I am sure there are others out there like me who get food poisoning often. Just remember to drink lots of water because it will dehydrate you.
PS. sometimes they sell Activated Charcoal with added licorice, this type of charcoal also works for the Food poisoning but can cause reactions in some people if they are sensitive to licorice.
Activated Charcoal
Posted by Olivia (Brooklyn, New York) on 06/15/2015
★★★★★
I suffered one night of hell on earth when I ate oatmeal in which milk and sugar had already been mixed. It was bought in St. Maarten at an outdoor market. I took the apple cider dosage of two teaspoons in water, and it helped somewhat, but I still had the runs and cramps. Thank God I decided to check Earth Clinic, and found the additional recommendation of taking Charcoal tablets. I took 2 for a total of 560 mgs. Immediate relief of cramps and stoppage of the runs. Two hours later, a slight cramp and I took another 2 tablets. That was it .... I was able to go out and even forgot that just a few hours earlier I thought I needed to go to the emergency room. Apple Cider Vinegar water helped, but the tablets were the magic bullet.
Activated Charcoal
Posted by Sacha (Murewa,zimbabwe) on 02/25/2014
★★★★★
Charcoal really helped me in a matter of minutes, it completely stopped the pain from food poisoning.
Activated Charcoal
Posted by Dr. Michael (Briarcliff Manor, Ny) on 02/15/2010
★★★★★
After a nice Valentine's Day dinner, my wife woke up with severe diarrhea & couldn't stop throwing up. Even water. Fortunately, I stumbled across this website! I ran out and bought her activated charcoal capsules and gave her 2. Within 20 minutes she was finally able to get some rest. She still slept all day & was exhausted from the emptying both ways, but at least it stopped & she felt good enough to sleep. Thanks!
Activated Charcoal
Posted by Timmy (Minneapolis, MN) on 01/29/2009
★★★★★
I do not know If I received food poisoning from Mexico but I arrived Sunday morning and by Tuesday I had the grumbles then later the squirts by the end of the day. The first night less then 4 hours of sleep. The second night the same. I had bad cramps when I ate and I had severe stool problems. I decide to hit the net and look for a home cure. I had apple cider at home so I first tried that and it worked a bit by stopping my stool I still had some stomach pain. I went and got the charcoal caps took 2 and with in 10 minutes I felt better. I have not had a stool for 40 min, kept in a glass of water and feel good. I am now going to finally eat something.
Activated Charcoal
Posted by Mitsue (Wishart, Queensland Australia) on 11/06/2008
★★★★★
One late afternoon I bought Sushi with raw salmon in it, it must have been sitting there all day, after eating it I had very bad case of vomiting and diarrhea for almost 3 weeks. I remembered that charcoal helps with the poison, and I had charcoal my mother sent me for purifying water. I just was so desperate I just cracked a small piece and ate it. Surprising as it is, my vomiting and diarrhea stopped almost immediately. I should have taken it sooner.. So I have medicated charcoal tablet in my medicine cupboard now and when I had vomiting the other I took one straight away and I was fine!!
Activated Charcoal
Posted by Al (Opelousas, USA) on 06/30/2008
★★★★★
I too had food poisoning so bad that I was sent to the emergency room, during which time, I was given 2 liters of Sodium Chloride(??). Of course the hospital wants you to pass (diahrrea) the poison, so nothing was administered. I sent a relative to the drug store for Activate Charcoal capsules and followed the recommended dosage; 1gm/hour...within 6-7 hours I could eat small amounts and not experience nauseau or diahrrea(sp?)You should keep a bottle in the refrigerator (safely).
Activated Charcoal
Posted by GT (Vero Beach, Florida) on 08/22/2007
★★★★★
Charcoal pills were used for severe food poisoning. Eating chicken that has been left out in the heat of the blazing sun from 4am to dinner time, no refrigeration. Many around me got sick with severe bowel problems. I took charcoal pills,the loose bowels stoped within 10 min.
Activated Charcoal
Posted by Shawna (Mountlake Terrace WA)
★★★★★
I have had multiple issues with food poisoning all throughout my life. I had a Naturopath tell me once to take 3-4 charcoal pills two times a day at the onset of pain and queasiness, then continue the same for 3 days afterwards. You can purchase charcoal pills from any health food store or in some local corner drug stores. I have used this remedy for about 15 yrs now and it's ALWAYS worked. My husband just had it and he took the pills and he felt better right away and was able to keep down food and water.
