Carbo activ aflofarm

Patient Information Leaflet

Carbo Activ Aflofarm
200 mg, hard capsules
Carbo activatus
Please read this leaflet carefully before taking the medicine, as it contains
important information for the patient.
This medicine should always be taken exactly as described in this patient leaflet or as directed by
the doctor or pharmacist.

• Keep this leaflet, as you may need to read it again.
• If you need advice or further information, please consult your pharmacist.
• If you experience any adverse reactions, including any not listed in this leaflet, inform your doctor or pharmacist. See section 4.
• If there is no improvement after 2 days, or if you feel worse, you should contact your doctor.

Table of Contents

1. What Carbo Activ Aflofarm is and what it is used for
2. Important information before taking Carbo Activ Aflofarm
3. How to take Carbo Activ Aflofarm
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Carbo Activ Aflofarm
6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What Carbo Activ Aflofarm is and what it is used for

Carbo Activ Aflofarm in the form of hard capsules contains powdered medicinal activated charcoal, a substance with strong adsorptive properties. After administration, activated charcoal is released from the capsule within several minutes and adsorbs substances present in the gastrointestinal tract, including bacterial toxins, thereby preventing their absorption from the gut. It also retains microorganisms (bacteria, fungi) on its surface.
Indications
The medicine is used in the following conditions:

• food poisoning;
• diarrhoea;
• flatulence;
• poisoning with drugs and chemical substances (in consultation with a doctor).

2. Important information before taking Carbo Activ Aflofarm

When not to take Carbo Activ Aflofarm

• if the patient is allergic to activated charcoal or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6);
• if the patient is unconscious and the airways have not been secured;
• in infants.

Warnings and precautions
Before starting to take Carbo Activ Aflofarm, discuss it with your doctor or
pharmacist.

• Other medicines should be taken at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking activated charcoal.
• Activated charcoal should not be used if specific antidotes need to be administered orally at the same time, e.g. methionine.
• Activated charcoal should not be used in poisoning with substances that are not adsorbed, including solvents, corrosive substances, heavy metals, and non-edible alcohols.
• Activated charcoal has the ability to bind toxic substances. Although its use is safe, it should be limited only to the above indications and discontinued once the therapeutic effect has been achieved.

Activated charcoal is the most potent adsorbent agent used in medicine. It binds
most solid medicinal products, including salicylates, barbiturates, benzodiazepines,
phenothiazines, clonidine, central nervous system stimulants, cardiac glycosides,
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), paracetamol, MAO inhibitors (used in psychiatry and
neurology), propranolol, phenytoin, beta-adrenergic receptor blockers, quinine, purine derivatives, zidovudine.
Activated charcoal does not adsorb organic solvents, including alcohols, and poorly adsorbs water-soluble mineral salts.
Carbo Activ Aflofarm and other medicines
You must tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines currently taken or recently taken, as well as any medicines the patient plans to take.
You should inform your doctor if the patient is taking:

• salicylates, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, paracetamol, cardiac glycosides, NSAIDs, oral contraceptives, anticoagulants, and antibiotics – because charcoal may reduce their gastrointestinal absorption;
• anticonvulsants and antiemetics, because charcoal adsorbs them. Carbo Activ Aflofarm taken simultaneously with other orally administered medicines may reduce their pharmacological effect. Alcohol slightly reduces the ability of activated charcoal to adsorb acetylsalicylic acid and quinidine.

If the patient is unsure whether they are taking any of the above-mentioned medicines, they should
contact their doctor or pharmacist.
Carbo Activ Aflofarm with food and drink
This medicine should not be taken with food, as food reduces the adsorptive capacity of activated charcoal.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
If the patient is pregnant or breastfeeding, suspects she may be pregnant, or is planning to have a child, she should consult her doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine.
There is lack of data on the safety of using this medicine during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Driving and operating machinery
No effect or negligible effect.
Carbo Activ Aflofarm contains Quinoline Yellow
Quinoline Yellow may cause allergic reactions.

3. How to take Carbo Activ Aflofarm

This medicine should always be taken exactly as described in this patient leaflet or as directed by a doctor or pharmacist. If in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Recommended dose
Adults and children over 12 years of age
For mild food poisoning with symptoms of bloating or excessive intestinal fermentation,
take orally 4 to 6 capsules several times a day until symptoms subside.
In severe cases of diarrhoea,
empty the contents of 15 to 30 capsules into a small amount of water and take as a suspension
every hour until symptoms subside (3 or 4 times).
In cases of chemical poisoning or drug intoxication,
immediately take 10 capsules of charcoal, drinking water afterwards, and then repeat this dose
several times. Immediately inform a doctor, who will decide on further management.
In severe poisonings,
a single dose of 4 g to 10 g of activated charcoal (the contents of 20 to 50 capsules) should be administered
as a suspension in water. The suspension may be given via a gastric tube during gastric lavage.
Children over 1 year of age
In cases of drug or chemical intoxication,
a single dose of usually 10 to 20 capsules is administered.
For children under 6 years of age, the contents of the capsules should be mixed with a small amount
of water and administered as a suspension.
Method of administration
The medicine should be taken orally.
The medicine should not be taken together with food.
If you take more Carbo Activ Aflofarm than recommended
If you take more than the recommended dose, contact your doctor.
In case of overdose, constipation may occur.
If you forget to take Carbo Activ Aflofarm
Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
If you have any further doubts concerning the use of this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible adverse reactions

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause adverse reactions, although not everyone will experience them.
Constipation and, occasionally, vomiting (especially in children) may occur.
If this happens, the medicine should be discontinued and a doctor contacted.
Reporting of adverse reactions
If any adverse effects occur, including any adverse effects not listed
in this leaflet, inform a doctor or pharmacist.
Adverse reactions can be reported directly to the Department of Monitoring of Adverse Drug Reactions of the Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices and Biocidal Products
Al. Jerozolimskie 181C
02-222 Warsaw
Tel.: + 48 22 49 21 301
Fax: + 48 22 49 21 309
Website: https://smz.ezdrowie.gov.pl
Adverse reactions can also be reported to the marketing authorization holder.
Reporting adverse reactions enables continuous monitoring of the benefit-risk balance of the medicine and helps to provide more information on the safety of the medicine.

5. How to store Carbo Activ Aflofarm

Keep the medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Store below 25°C. Keep in the original packaging.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the blister and carton.
The expiry date refers to the last day of the stated month.
Lot: Batch number.
EXP: Expiry date.
Medicines must not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. Such practices help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the package and other information

What Carbo Activ Aflofarm contains

• The active substance is activated charcoal. Each capsule contains 200 mg of activated charcoal (Carbo activatus).
• Other ingredients: gelatin, titanium dioxide (E 171), quinoline yellow (E 104), indigo carmine (E 132).

What Carbo Activ Aflofarm looks like and contents of the pack
Carbo Activ Aflofarm is a hard capsule. It is packed in blisters and cardboard boxes.
The pack contains 10, 20, 30 or 60 hard capsules.
Marketing Authorisation Holder
Aflofarm Farmacja Polska Sp. z o.o.
ul. Partyzancka 133/151
95-200 Pabianice
Tel: (42) 22-53-100
Manufacturer
Aflofarm Farmacja Polska Sp. z o.o.
ul. Szkolna 31
95-054 Ksawerów