It is called activated carbon and, associated with other molecules such as magnesium citrate or sorbitol, it is used as a cathartic (purifier) in detoxifying the body from some toxic molecules (phenobarbital, theophylline, etc.).
The method is classified as "intestinal dialysis"; it is applied by administering repeated doses of the compound orally or by probe. The active ingredient, reaching the intestine, favors the reverse absorption of the poison that will be expelled with liquid stool.
It seems to work quite effectively ... however, will it really be a completely harmless procedure? Obviously, the answer is relative to the specific case!
Both the activated charcoal associated with magnesium citrate, as well as the sorbitol coal, conceal some fairly important side effects. For some time we have been aware of the insidious electrolyte imbalances caused by severe diarrhea that sorbitol can promote, which is why doctors sometimes prefer magnesium citrate. It is however good to remember that, in some patients, hypermagnesemia can occur with some importance, which, being quite rare, is often underestimated. At the onset of: reduced reactivity, confusional state and reduction of tendon reflexes, magnesium intoxication can be defined as overt!
