How do you figure out when to take charcoal? I take so many different rx meds or supplements throughout the day, and before bed, too. I'm supposed to wait until 90 minutes after eating/taking a med or supplement, and then wait 90 minutes after also. I generally eat something every 2 hours or so. Any advice?? Thanks.
Posted by dbpei (Member # 33574) on :
It is very challenging! I am now taking ABX 2 x day with food, so I take them at breakfast and dinner. I take supplements that need to be taken with food with those meals as long as they are not vitamins or minerals, which I take with lunch away from ABX.
Those supplements that need to be taken without food, I try to take when I wake up in the morning and later in the afternoon.
I take binders (like charcoal, DE) about 90 minutes after lunch and before taking any other meds. This is usually around 2 pm for me. If I miss that window of opportunity, sometimes I will take them at bedtime away from other meds also.
Hope this helps!
Posted by MannaMe (Member # 33330) on :
My husband takes his charcoal during the night when he wakes up to go to the bathroom.
He has the cup of water and the charcoal setting out and ready to take without needing to turn extra lights on.
Posted by hopeful4 (Member # 8486) on :
Thanks for your suggestions. My day schedule just seems unreasonable as it is already right now, I might just try it at night.
My husband also takes his charcoal when he wakes up at night. I'm usually in a real deep fog when I wake up at night, but I think if I prepare it before going to bed, maybe I could just swallow it down in my sleep!
Posted by Marz (Member # 3446) on :
If I were to take charcoal plus 1/2 ambien when I wake up in the middle of the night,the charcoal would make the ambien ineffective wouldn't it?
Posted by dbpei (Member # 33574) on :
Yes, I think the charcoal would take away the effects of any other meds you take near it.
Posted by hopeful4 (Member # 8486) on :
Yes, the charcoal will cancel out the ambien.
So the last 2 nights I've taken the charcoal in the middle of the night, after using the bathroon.
I set out the cup of water and the charcoal capsule, and just swallow in my half-sleep state. So far, it's gone well, and I've been able to just fall right back asleep. So far, so good.
Posted by sparkle7 (Member # 10397) on :
It's kind of a complicated question with charcoal. I don't know how long it lingers in the body. There's also an issue of ADsorption vs. ABsorption...
I suspect it lingers in the body longer than initially thought - but I'm no doctor. I couldn't find anything on-line to verify how long it stays in the body.
I don't think it's a good idea to take charcoal all of the time - but that's just my own observation. It's really helpful but not for everyday use. I am not a doctor...
Posted by hopeful4 (Member # 8486) on :
What are you folks taking the charcoal for? Currently I'm taking it to treat mold.