Safety Profile
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Interactions
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Evidence and Scientific Findings
Ingredient Overview
Activated charcoal is a powerful adsorbent used medically for poisoning and overdose. As a supplement it is increasingly marketed for detoxification, though evidence for this use is lacking. Its primary safety concern is that it non-selectively adsorbs drugs, vitamins, and nutrients in the gut, significantly reducing their absorption. It must not be taken within 2 hours of any medication. It causes black stools and can cause constipation or bowel obstruction.
Biological and Chemical Classification
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Mechanism of Action
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Clinical Evidence of Effectiveness
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Pharmacokinetics
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Recommended Dosage
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
SETI — Scientific Evidence Transparency Index
Executive Summary — Ingredient Assessment
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or RCT)
- Main clinical benefit observed: Specialty
- Evidence consistency: High consistency across studies (100%)
- No significant safety signals identified in the reviewed literature.
The available scientific evidence for Activated Charcoal indicates notable safety signals that warrant caution. Use should be considered carefully and monitored, particularly in sensitive populations or alongside other medications.
Total SETI Score
High risk| Evidence quality | 10/40 |
| Evidence consistency | 20/20 |
| Safety signals | 0/20 |
| Study recency | 10/10 |
| Evidence transparency | 10/10 |
Evidence Summary
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or systematic review)
- 0 studies identified benefits or no safety concern (GREEN)
- 10 studies reported limited or advisory safety evidence (YELLOW)
Evidence Policy
Only peer-reviewed scientific literature indexed in PubMed or comparable databases is included in this evaluation. Commercial websites, blogs, and marketing materials are excluded. All references include direct traceable links to source documents.
Last updated: 26 მარ 2026, 14:03
Evidence Distribution
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWSynthesis of high value fragrances (dihydrolinalool and tetrahydrolinalool) using combinations of biobased mint biochar/activated charcoal incorporated Ni-Pd catalysts. ↗Yadav K et al.. Synthesis of high value fragrances (dihydrolinalool and tetrahydrolinalool) using combinations of biobased mint biochar/activated charcoal incorporated Ni-Pd catalysts.. Chem Commun (Camb). 2026. PMID:41870438.PMID 41870438 ↗Journal Chem Commun (Camb)Year 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41870438/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWParaquat Peril: A Retrospective Study from the Frontlines of a Quaternary Care Hospital in South India. ↗Neeraj GP et al.. Paraquat Peril: A Retrospective Study from the Frontlines of a Quaternary Care Hospital in South India.. Indian J Crit Care Med. 2026. PMID:41868073.PMID 41868073 ↗Journal Indian J Crit Care MedYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41868073/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWAmitraz poisoning mimicking organophosphate toxicity in a young woman: a clinically diagnosed case report from Western India. ↗Patel S et al.. Amitraz poisoning mimicking organophosphate toxicity in a young woman: a clinically diagnosed case report from Western India.. Int J Emerg Med. 2026. PMID:41857715.PMID 41857715 ↗Journal Int J Emerg MedYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41857715/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWDirect organogenesis and genetic fidelity of papaya 'Red Lady' with improved acclimatization using foliar silicon and salicylic acid. ↗Ahmed ME et al.. Direct organogenesis and genetic fidelity of papaya 'Red Lady' with improved acclimatization using foliar silicon and salicylic acid.. J Genet Eng Biotechnol. 2026. PMID:41839659.PMID 41839659 ↗Journal J Genet Eng BiotechnolYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41839659/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWAcute unintentional single-substance pediatric exposures to direct factor Xa inhibitors reported to US Poison Centers, 2011-2019. ↗Kolbeck M et al.. Acute unintentional single-substance pediatric exposures to direct factor Xa inhibitors reported to US Poison Centers, 2011-2019.. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2026. PMID:41837900.PMID 41837900 ↗Journal Clin Toxicol (Phila)Year 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41837900/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWPearls and Pitfalls for the Emergency Clinician: Beta Blocker and Calcium Channel Blocker Toxicity. ↗Suarez F et al.. Pearls and Pitfalls for the Emergency Clinician: Beta Blocker and Calcium Channel Blocker Toxicity.. J Emerg Med. 2026. PMID:41833262.PMID 41833262 ↗Journal J Emerg MedYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41833262/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWLevothyroxine poisoning in children: a multicenter study from Tu00fcrkiye. ↗u015een Ku00fcu00e7u00fck K et al.. Levothyroxine poisoning in children: a multicenter study from Tu00fcrkiye.. Turk J Med Sci. 2026. PMID:41816731.PMID 41816731 ↗Journal Turk J Med SciYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41816731/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWComparison of adsorptive capacity for different types of activated charcoal for common veterinary toxicants. ↗Chaganti A et al.. Comparison of adsorptive capacity for different types of activated charcoal for common veterinary toxicants.. Front Vet Sci. 2026. PMID:41789007.PMID 41789007 ↗Journal Front Vet SciYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41789007/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWBidirectional ventricular tachycardia following ricin intoxication: a case report. ↗Steinacher A et al.. Bidirectional ventricular tachycardia following ricin intoxication: a case report.. Eur Heart J Case Rep. 2026. PMID:41788434.PMID 41788434 ↗Journal Eur Heart J Case RepYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41788434/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWAnti-mycotoxin additive mixture in cattle feed contaminated with multiple mycotoxins: impacts on performance and health. ↗Torteli MA et al.. Anti-mycotoxin additive mixture in cattle feed contaminated with multiple mycotoxins: impacts on performance and health.. Trop Anim Health Prod. 2026. PMID:41746449.PMID 41746449 ↗Journal Trop Anim Health ProdYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41746449/
Score Transparency
0 of 10 approved references (score saturates at 10). More peer-reviewed studies = stronger evidence base.
Method: Q = number of approved references ÷ 10 (capped at 1.0)
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies
Method: L = mean study-level weight across approved references. Level 1 (meta-analysis / systematic review) = 1.0; Level 2 (RCT) = 0.8; Level 3 (cohort/case-control) = 0.6; Level 4 (case report) = 0.4; Level 5 (animal / in-vitro) = 0.2.
Mixed or neutral — roughly equal benefit and risk signals
Method: D = (sum of risk-scored references − sum of benefit-scored references) ÷ total evidence score, then scaled from [−1, 1] to [0, 1]. 0.0 = pure benefit; 0.5 = neutral; 1.0 = pure risk.
One or more monitoring-level safety signals active
Method: S = 0.5 (neutral baseline) + sum of active signal severity deltas ÷ 10. Severity deltas: Critical = +2.0, High = +1.5, Moderate = +1.0, Low = +0.5. Capped at 1.0.
Final GIRI Score for Activated Charcoal. Risk level thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
Full methodology & data sources
The GIRI Score is computed entirely from structured data — no editorial scoring or subjective weighting is applied at any step.
- References: Only approved references are counted. Each reference is assigned an evidence level (L1–L5) and a direction (risk / neutral / benefit) by the reference manager or AI classifier.
- Safety Signals: Sourced from regulatory agencies (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others) and pharmacovigilance databases. Only active signals count toward the score.
- Formula version: GIRI Score v3.7.0 — Q × L × D × S × 10.
- Limitations: The score reflects published evidence and recorded signals as of the last update date. It is not a clinical risk assessment and should not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Risk Level Classification
Based on available regulatory signals and scientific evidence, this ingredient presents a moderate safety concern. Caution is advised, particularly at high doses or in sensitive populations.
0–3.0
3.0–5.5
5.5–7.5
7.5–10
The score pin shows exactly where this ingredient falls on the fixed risk scale.
What drove the Moderate classification for Activated Charcoal
A score of 4.0 places this ingredient in the Moderate band. Thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
0 approved references.
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies (Level 4–5).
Neutral or mixed — benefit and risk signals roughly balanced.
No active signals — S component is at neutral baseline (0.5), contributing no extra risk weight.
No major regulatory restrictions or advisories recorded across monitored jurisdictions (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others).
How are the Low / Moderate / High / Critical thresholds defined?
The four risk levels are fixed score bands. A score is assigned to exactly one level based on where it falls:
| Level | Score | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| LOW | 0.0 – 2.9 | Sparse or predominantly beneficial evidence. No active safety alerts. |
| MODERATE | 3.0 – 5.4 | Mixed signals — some risk alongside benefit. Caution at high doses or in sensitive groups. |
| HIGH | 5.5 – 7.4 | Multiple studies or regulatory alerts documenting adverse effects. Professional oversight recommended. |
| CRITICAL | 7.5 – 10 | Regulatory restrictions in one or more major jurisdictions. Serious documented harm. Avoid without specialist supervision. |
Thresholds are fixed constants (GIRI_Score_Utils::LEVEL_THRESHOLDS). They do not change per ingredient and are never subject to editorial adjustment.