Carbo Activ Aflofarm

Package Leaflet: Information for the Patient

Carbo Activ Aflofarm

200 mg, hard capsules
Carbo activatus

Read the package 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 package leaflet for the patient or as directed by a doctor or pharmacist.

• Keep this leaflet, so you can read it again if you need to.
• If you need advice or additional information, consult a pharmacist.
• If the patient experiences any side effects, including any side effects not listed in this leaflet, they should inform their doctor or pharmacist. See section 4.
• If there is no improvement after 2 days or the patient feels worse, they should contact their doctor.

Table of Contents of the Leaflet

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

Carbo Activ Aflofarm, in the form of hard capsules, contains powdered activated carbon, a substance with strong adsorptive properties. After taking the medicine, the activated carbon is released from the capsule within a few minutes and adsorbs substances present in the gastrointestinal tract, including bacterial toxins, on its significantly expanded surface, making it difficult for them to be absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract; it also retains microorganisms (bacteria, fungi) on its surface.

Indications for Use

The medicine is used for the following diseases and conditions:

• food poisoning;
• diarrhea;
• bloating;
• poisoning with medicines and chemicals (in consultation with a doctor).

2. Important Information Before Taking Carbo Activ Aflofarm

When Not to Take Carbo Activ Aflofarm

• in infants.

Warnings and Precautions

Before starting to take Carbo Activ Aflofarm, the patient should discuss it with their doctor or pharmacist.

• Other medicines should be taken at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking activated carbon.
• Activated carbon should not be taken if it is necessary to administer a specific antidote orally at the same time, e.g., methionine.
• Activated carbon should not be taken in cases of poisoning with substances that are not adsorbed, including solvents, corrosive substances, heavy metals, and non-consumable alcohols.
• Activated carbon has the ability to bind toxic substances. Although its use is safe, it should be limited to the above indications and stopped after achieving the therapeutic effect.

Activated carbon is the strongest adsorbent 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 compounds, and zidovudine.
Activated carbon does not adsorb organic solvents, including alcohols, and poorly adsorbs soluble mineral salts.

Carbo Activ Aflofarm and Other Medicines

The patient should inform their doctor or pharmacist about all medicines they are currently taking or have recently taken, as well as any medicines they plan to take.
The patient should inform their doctor if they are taking:

• salicylates, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, paracetamol, cardiac glycosides, NSAIDs, oral contraceptives, anticoagulants, and antibiotics, as activated carbon may reduce their absorption from the gastrointestinal tract;
• antiepileptic and antiemetic drugs, as activated carbon adsorbs them. Carbo Activ Aflofarm taken simultaneously with other orally administered medicines may reduce their pharmacological effect. Alcohol slightly reduces the ability of activated carbon to adsorb acetylsalicylic acid and quinidine.

If the patient is unsure whether they are taking any of the above medicines, they should consult their doctor or pharmacist.

Carbo Activ Aflofarm with Food and Drink

The medicine should not be taken with food, as food reduces the adsorptive capacity of activated carbon.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

If the patient is pregnant or breastfeeding, thinks they may be pregnant, or plans to have a child, they should consult their doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine.
There is no data on the safety of using the medicine during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Driving and Using Machines

It has no influence or has a negligible influence.

Carbo Activ Aflofarm Contains Yellow Quinoline

Yellow quinoline may cause allergic reactions.

3. How to Take Carbo Activ Aflofarm

This medicine should always be taken exactly as described in this package leaflet for the patient or as directed by a doctor or pharmacist. In case of doubt, the patient should consult their doctor or pharmacist.

Recommended Dose

Adults and Children Over 12 Years Old

In mild food poisonings with symptoms of bloating or excessive intestinal fermentation, 4 to 6 capsules are taken orally several times a day until the symptoms subside.
In more severe cases of diarrhea, the contents of 15 to 30 capsules are poured into a small amount of water and taken in the form of a suspension every hour until the symptoms subside (3 or 4 times).
In cases of chemical poisoning and drug poisoning, the patient should take 10 capsules of activated carbon immediately, drinking water, and then repeat this dose several times. The patient should immediately inform their doctor, who will decide on further action.
In severe poisonings, 4 g to 10 g of activated carbon (the contents of 20 to 50 capsules) is administered once in the form of a suspension in water. The suspension can be administered through a gastric tube during stomach lavage.

Children Over 1 Year Old

In cases of drug or chemical poisoning, 10 to 20 capsules are usually administered once.
For children under 6 years old, the contents of the capsules should be poured into a small amount of water and administered in the form of a suspension.

Method of Administration

The medicine should be taken orally.
The medicine should not be taken with meals.

Taking a Higher Dose of Carbo Activ Aflofarm Than Recommended

In case of taking a higher dose of the medicine than recommended, the patient should contact their doctor.
In case of overdose, constipation may occur.

Missing a Dose of Carbo Activ Aflofarm

A double dose should not be taken to make up for a missed dose.
In case of any further doubts related to the use of this medicine, the patient should consult their doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible Side Effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Constipation may occur, sometimes vomiting, especially in children.
In such a case, the medicine should be discontinued, and the patient should contact their doctor.

Reporting Side Effects

If any side effects occur, including any side effects not listed in this leaflet, the patient should inform their doctor or pharmacist.
Side effects can be reported directly to the Department of Monitoring of Adverse Reactions to Medicinal Products of the Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices, and Biocidal Products
Al. Jerozolimskie 181C
02-222 Warsaw
Phone: +48 22 49 21 301
Fax: +48 22 49 21 309
Website: https://smz.ezdrowie.gov.pl
Side effects can also be reported to the marketing authorization holder.
Reporting side effects will allow for more information to be collected on the safety of the medicine.

5. How to Store Carbo Activ Aflofarm

The medicine should be stored out of sight and reach of children.
Store in a temperature below 25°C. Store in the original packaging.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the blister and carton.
The expiry date stated is the last day of the given month.
Batch: Batch number.
EXP: Expiry date.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste containers. The patient should ask their pharmacist how to dispose of medicines that are no longer needed. This will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the Pack and Other Information

What Carbo Activ Aflofarm Contains

• The active substance of the medicine is activated carbon. One capsule contains 200 mg of activated carbon (Carbo activatus).
• The other ingredients are: gelatin, titanium dioxide (E 171), quinoline yellow (E 104), indigo carmine (E 132).

What Carbo Activ Aflofarm Looks Like and What the Pack Contains

Carbo Activ Aflofarm is in the form of hard capsules. It is packaged in blisters and cardboard boxes.
The pack contains 10, 20, 30, or 60 hard capsules.

Marketing Authorization Holder

Aflofarm Farmacja Polska Sp. z o.o.
ul. Partyzancka 133/151
95-200 Pabianice
Phone: (42) 22-53-100

Manufacturer

Aflofarm Farmacja Polska Sp. z o.o.
ul. Szkolna 31
95-054 Ksawerów
Date of Last Update of the Leaflet:27.05.2024