About activated charcoal
Activated charcoal manufacturers include Norit, maker of Carbomix, and national producers such as Türkem in Turkey and Omega Laboratories in Canada. Activated charcoal (medicinal charcoal) is a highly porous carbon that adsorbs toxins in the gut and prevents their absorption. It is the standard first-line antidote for many oral poisonings and is on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines. Pharmaceutical companies can source activated charcoal granules, suspensions and tablets through out-licensing, supply or technology transfer. Dossiers are available in EU CTD and national formats.
Activated charcoal key facts
| Property | Activated charcoal |
|---|---|
| INN / common name | Activated charcoal; medicinal charcoal (Carbo activatus) |
| Chemical description | Highly porous carbon produced by controlled activation of organic material |
| CAS number | 7440-44-0 (carbon); 64365-11-3 (activated carbon) |
| ATC code | A07BA01 (medicinal charcoal) |
| Drug class | Intestinal adsorbent; antidote |
| Brand names | Carbomix (EU, Ireland, Turkey); Charac-50, Charactol-50 (Canada) |
| Dosage forms and strengths | Granules for oral suspension 50 g; ready-made oral suspension 50 g; tablets and capsules for diarrhoea |
| Indications | Acute oral poisoning and drug overdose; also diarrhoea in some markets |
| Typical poisoning dose | 50 g for adults; repeat doses of 20 g every 4–6 hours in severe poisoning |
| WHO Essential Medicines | Listed since 1977; formulation updated in 2025 to granules for oral suspension |
| EU example | Carbomix 50 g, Ireland, licensed 3 December 1992 (non-prescription, pharmacy only) |
| Generic status | Off-patent; patents expired in most jurisdictions |
Activated charcoal manufacturers and licensing history
Activated charcoal has no single originator, and medicinal charcoal has been used for poisoning for more than a century. Modern products are standardised for adsorption capacity, particle size and purity.
Carbomix is the best-known branded product in Europe. It is sold as Norit Carbomix in Belgium and holds licences in Ireland and Turkey. In Canada, Omega Laboratories sells Charac-50 and Charactol-50 as ready-made 50 g oral suspensions.
Medicinal-grade activated charcoal is made by a small number of specialised carbon producers. Buyers should confirm GMP certification, compliance with the Ph. Eur. monograph and adsorption-capacity data before choosing a supply partner.
Activated charcoal dosage forms and dossier types
Activated charcoal is supplied as 50 g granules for oral suspension, ready-made suspensions and low-dose tablets or capsules. Generic activated charcoal manufacturers most often develop granules or suspensions for poisoning, because these are the WHO-listed forms.
| Form | Strengths | Typical dossier | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Activated charcoal granules for oral suspension | 50 g | EU CTD; national | Main form for licensing; reference Carbomix |
| Activated charcoal oral suspension | 50 g in 225–250 ml | National (OTC) | Ready to drink; Canada, other markets |
| Activated charcoal tablets / capsules | Low dose (per national MA) | National | Used for diarrhoea and flatulence |
| Activated charcoal API | Bulk | Ph. Eur. / USP compliance | Adsorption capacity is the key specification |
| Target market | Dossier format | Key requirement |
|---|---|---|
| European Union | EU CTD | Ph. Eur. monograph; reference Carbomix |
| United States, Canada | National OTC | Monograph or OTC pathway; check current requirements |
| ASEAN | ACTD | Adapt CTD to ACTD |
| Africa, Middle East, tenders | CTD | WHO EML formulation (granules for oral suspension); zone IVb stability |
Activated charcoal regulatory and patent status
Activated charcoal was added to the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines in 1977. The listing was updated in 2025 to specify granules for oral suspension, with other forms allowed in emergencies. Patents have expired in most jurisdictions.
In the EU, activated charcoal is authorised nationally. Carbomix 50 g received its Irish licence on 3 December 1992 and is sold without prescription through pharmacies.
Activated charcoal mechanism of action and therapeutic use
Activated charcoal adsorbs drugs and toxins onto its large surface area in the gut, which prevents their absorption. Repeated doses can also increase elimination of some drugs already in the bloodstream. It is used for acute oral poisoning and drug overdose. Some lower-dose products are also used for diarrhoea.
Activated charcoal licensing and sourcing
Activated charcoal suppliers and licensing partners typically offer dossier out-licensing, finished-product supply or technology transfer. Buyers usually compare GMP status (EU GMP, US FDA or WHO GMP), pharmacopoeial compliance, dossier format and territory availability. Current offers and supplier contacts are listed among the activated charcoal manufacturers on Pipelinepharma.
Frequently asked questions about activated charcoal
Who are the main activated charcoal manufacturers?
Norit makes Carbomix, the leading branded product in Europe, and Türkem distributes Carbomix in Turkey. Omega Laboratories sells Charac-50 and Charactol-50 in Canada. Medicinal-grade API comes from a small number of specialised carbon producers.
Is an activated charcoal EU CTD dossier available for licensing?
Yes. Activated charcoal 50 g granule dossiers in EU CTD format can be licensed, referencing Carbomix. The dossier must show compliance with the Ph. Eur. monograph and include adsorption-capacity data.
Is activated charcoal on the WHO Essential Medicines List?
Yes. Activated charcoal has been on the WHO Model List since 1977. Since 2025, the listing specifies granules for oral suspension, which helps tender buyers specify the right product.
What forms and strengths of activated charcoal are available?
Activated charcoal is available as 50 g granules for oral suspension, 50 g ready-made oral suspensions and low-dose tablets or capsules. The 50 g forms are used for poisoning.
Is activated charcoal a prescription medicine?
Usually not. Carbomix is non-prescription but sold only through pharmacies in Ireland, and Canadian suspensions are sold over the counter. Status varies by country.
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