Patient leaflet - Carbomix 50 g granules for oral suspension
1. WHAT CARBOMIX IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR
The active ingredient of Carbomix is activated charcoal in the form of very fine granules. Carbomix is used as an emergency treatment for acute oral poisoning or drug overdose. It works by absorbing the drugs or toxic substances so reducing their absorption into the blood or helping to eliminate them from the body. Carbomix itself is not absorbed into the blood and passes through the gut unchanged.
Carbomix is usually taken under medical supervision.
2. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU ARE GIVEN CARBOMIX
Do not take Carbomix:
Carbomix should not be used unless the patient is fully conscious.
Other medicines and Carbomix
Tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
If you know what poison has been taken, tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse immediately. Carbomix is effective in most cases, but not generally used if the poison is one of the following:
Alcohol
- Turpentine
- Corrosives such as alkalis, bleach and strong acids
- Petrol
- Paint thinner and other solvents
- Cleaning fluid
- Furniture polish
- Iron salts
- Insecticides such as malathion and DDT
You should not take Carbomix if you have taken a medicine to make you sick or an oral antidote such as methionine as they will be absorbed by Carbomix.
Carbomix may obscure endoscopic visualisation of oesophageal and gastric lesions produced by the toxin and so will render difficult any immediate endoscopy that may be required. A laxative is often administered with Carbomix to hasten the removal of the poison and charcoal, which may result in diarrhoea.
Carbomix may stain if spilt.
Fertility, pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant, breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse for advice before taking this medicine.
Driving and using machines
Carbomix does not affect your ability to drive or operate machines.
3. HOW CARBOMIX IS GIVEN TO YOU
If a doctor has prescribed Carbomix for you, you should follow his/her instructions. Carbomix can be taken after vomiting or after having a stomach pump. It may be given by tube into the stomach, under medical supervision only. A universal applicator is provided for this purpose.
Adults and Children over 12 years of age:
The usual adult dose is 50g (one standard treatment pack), taken as soon as possible after ingestion of poison, repeated if necessary. For multiple dose therapy, 25-50 grams of activated charcoal every 4-6 hours.
Children between 1-12 years of age:
Children between 1-12 years should be given 25g (half the contents of the 50g bottle after it has been made up with water) unless there is a risk to life, in which case a dose of 50g is recommended, taken as soon as possible after ingestion of the poison, repeated if necessary. The dose is given usually under medical supervision. For multiple dose therapy, the dose may be repeated every 4-6 hours. Children under 1 year of age:
Dose is calculated according to body weight. For single dose therapy, 1g or 5ml per kg bodyweight taken as soon as possible after ingestion of poison. For multiple dose therapy, the dose may be repeated every 4-6 hours.
If the poison has diuretic properties (i.e. increases urine output) or has been taken with alcohol, plenty of fluid should be drunk after taking Carbomix.
Method of Administration
Carbomix granules should be mixed with water and swallowed as a suspension (about 400ml). The contents of the bottle should be made up to the red band with water and shaken thoroughly prior to administration. Carbomix should be taken as soon as possible after the potential poison has been swallowed. It is important to take the whole dose.
DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE
Remember to tell any doctor or pharmacist who is giving you advice about other medical conditions that you have taken Carbomix. If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Like all medicines, Carbomix may cause side effects, although not everyone will get them. Some patients may experience
- constipation
- vomiting
- diarrhoea.
Rarely, patients may experience
- blockage or perforation of the intestine have been associated with multiple dosing with activated charcoal.
Activated charcoal will usually produce black stools.
Accidental inhalation of the medicine into the lungs, can cause lung damage/produce airways obstruction.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via
UK: at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. HOW TO STORE CARBOMIX
Keep out of the sight and reach of children. Store below 25˚C. Keep container tightly closed. Do not use Carbomix after the expiry date which is shown on the label and the carton of each pack, after “use by”. This refers to the last day of the month.
Dispose of any unused suspension after 24 hours.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. CONTENTS OF THE PACK AND OTHER INFORMATION
What Carbomix contains: The active ingredient is 81.3% activated charcoal 50g in 61.5g granules. The other ingredients are citric acid, acacia and glycerol.
What Carbomix looks like and the contents of the pack: Carbomix is black granules in plastic bottles which contain 50g activated charcoal.
Marketing Authorisation Holder:
UK MAH: Kent Pharma UK Limited, 2nd Floor, Connect 38, 1 Dover Place, Ashford, Kent, England, TN23 1FB.
Manufacturer: Norit Nederland B.V., 7891 EV Klazienaveen, The Netherlands. United Kingdom Product Licence number: PL 51463/0098
This leaflet was last revised in: December 2024
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