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Activated charcoal and sorbitol suspension

Generic name: activated charcoal and sorbitol [ CHAR-kole/SOR-bi-tole ]
Brand name: Actidose with Sorbitol

Activated charcoal and sorbitol suspension is used for:

Treating poisoning or overdose in certain circumstances.

Activated charcoal and sorbitol suspension is an adsorbent and laxative combination. Activated charcoal works by binding with the poison in the stomach to decrease absorption of the poison into the body. Sorbitol works to help move the charcoal and poison out of the stomach and intestines more quickly.

Do NOT use activated charcoal and sorbitol suspension if:

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using activated charcoal and sorbitol suspension:

Some medical conditions may interact with activated charcoal and sorbitol suspension. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with activated charcoal and sorbitol suspension. However, no specific interactions with activated charcoal and sorbitol suspension are known at this time.

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if activated charcoal and sorbitol suspension may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use activated charcoal and sorbitol suspension:

Use activated charcoal and sorbitol suspension as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use activated charcoal and sorbitol suspension.

Important safety information:

Possible side effects of activated charcoal and sorbitol suspension:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Constipation; diarrhea; temporary darkening of the stool; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue).

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of activated charcoal and sorbitol suspension:

Store activated charcoal and sorbitol suspension at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Keep activated charcoal and sorbitol suspension out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take activated charcoal and sorbitol suspension or any other medicine. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for you. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about activated charcoal and sorbitol suspension. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to activated charcoal and sorbitol suspension. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. You must talk with your healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using activated charcoal and sorbitol suspension.

Issue Date: June 3, 2015

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.