Activated Carbon

Activated carbon, also called activated charcoal is a porous, carbon-based material that is predominantly used in medicine as an antidote and a detoxifying agent, to absorb toxins or poisons. In horses, activated charcoal is most commonly used for endotoxemia, colic, flatulence, and ingested toxins. Activated charcoal helps prevent poison from being absorbed from the stomach into the bloodstream and body. Sometimes, several doses of activated charcoal are needed to treat severe poisoning. Activated charcoal is often combined with sorbitol, which acts as a laxative to stimulate the bowels and help move any toxic substances through the system.