As far as dosage, I'd start with what's on the bottle, then go from there. It's typically recommended that you start low, and I suppose the charcoal could trigger some sort of unsightly detox effects, but I don't think it would at that dosage. But, I don't know anything for sure, really.

Best time a day, well, the cookie-cutter response is no less than 2 hours before or after other medications, as you don't want them to get wiped away by it. To cater to your situation, I'd say, whenever is best. When is there a time in the day where you've got a few hours that you aren't taking anything else?

I haven't gotten too friendly with any binders just yet, as I've dealt with chronic constipation off and on for months and months, but I think I would prefer to take it at night, after the day. I believe I've seen some users mention taking it in the middle of the night, say, when they get up to go to the bathroom. Do you take a regular trip to tinkle during the night? That'd be a good time.

Other than that, when you're herxing, I suppose, unless you're worried about negating the effects of something else you've taken. Though, maybe that's what you'd want? Say, you've taken some of your abx, and are having a terrible response, go for the charcoal to lessen the herx, and then lower the dosage of abx next time around.

Everyday use? I don't know. I wouldn't. One, you could end up with some constipation issues. Two, binders can wipe good things (beneficial GI bacteria) as well as bad. I do not know how effective charcoal is in doing so though.

Again, I am not an expert around here.

Nothing to add - just thanks to Traveler and NotQuiteAntonio for giving such great support.

Charcoal will bind up anything organic, good or bad, so probably the middle of the night would be best, long after eating anything and long before.. If you get up in the middle of the night to go to the bath, that time would be perfect.

pismo10 said...
Charcoal will bind up anything organic, good or bad, so probably the middle of the night would be best, long after eating anything and long before.. If you get up in the middle of the night to go to the bath, that time would be perfect.

a few hours after eating should be fine...for those of us who don't wake in the night to use the facilities.

jboy145 said...
I take my activated charcoal well after abx.
When I started taking activated charcoal I would take it at night and the next day I would have a massive headache due to detoxing to fast.
I recommend to start slow and listen to your body as you go because it really sucks things out.

How much water did you take with it?

AC can cause dehydration....and the headache could also be from that.


I have to take more than one glass of water with it...or I'm constipated...So when I take it...I continue to drink...until I've got 2 glasses in me.

Traveler said...

Girlie said...

pismo10 said...
Charcoal will bind up anything organic, good or bad, so probably the middle of the night would be best, long after eating anything and long before.. If you get up in the middle of the night to go to the bath, that time would be perfect.

a few hours after eating should be fine...for those of us who don't wake in the night to use the facilities.

WAIT!!! There's people out there that don't have to get up in the middle of the night? Giggle!!

I think I've gotten up in the middle of the night to visit the bathroom all my life. Although there are nights that I have slept straight through, it's usually because I'm so exhausted that I seriously needed that sleep -and that's rare!

No, I don't...lol. So, I'm certainly not going to set an alarm for the dang Activated Charcoal...and risk not getting back to sleep...

Purrrsiankitty said...
I am an alarm clock. 😏 I wake up religiously at 3am daylight savings time and 2am standard Time.

Someday I hope that stops!

BTW that's when I take my charcoal

I do wake up early in the morning many mornings - like around 6 or 7 a.m...but I often go right back to sleep...but might not if I take a Charcoal capsule and drink.

Not having good sleep really stresses me out...I used to be such a good sleeper..it was one of my hobbies.