Charcoal + Fungal Diastase + Papain

Dosage Forms Available

• Charcoal + Fungal Diastase + Papain may be available as tablets or capsules for oral use.
• The dosage form and amount of each ingredient can differ between products. Read the product label carefully.

Age and Dose Restrictions

• Take it only for the dose and duration stated on the product label or recommended by your doctor.
• Give this combination to a child only when recommended by a doctor.

Contraindications

• Do not take this combination if you are allergic to charcoal, fungal diastase, papain or any other ingredient in the product.
• Do not use it if you have an intestinal obstruction, intestinal perforation or severe gastrointestinal bleeding.
• Do not use it without medical supervision if you have difficulty swallowing, persistent vomiting or a high risk of inhaling stomach contents into the lungs.
• Do not take it if you have severe constipation or have completely stopped passing stools. Seek medical assistance instead.

Other Medications to Avoid With This Medicine

• Activated charcoal can bind many orally administered medicines and reduce their absorption and effectiveness.
• It may affect oral contraceptives, antibiotics, thyroid medicines, heart medicines, mental-health medicines and medicines that reduce blood clotting, among other oral medicines.
• Do not take this combination at the same time as another oral medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how much time to leave between them.
• Do not stop any regularly prescribed medicine without consulting your doctor.

Overdose and Missed Dose

• Taking too much may cause severe constipation, abdominal pain, vomiting or intestinal obstruction.
• Inhaling charcoal powder into the lungs can cause serious breathing complications.
• Seek immediate medical assistance if an overdose is suspected or if you develop persistent vomiting, severe abdominal pain or an inability to pass stools.
• If you miss a dose, take it when you remember. If it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed dose.
• Do not take 2 doses together to make up for a missed dose.

Management of Side Effects

Most mild side effects are temporary. Consult your doctor if a side effect is severe, persistent or worsening.

• Drink enough water if constipation occurs. Seek immediate medical advice if you stop passing stools or develop severe abdominal pain.
• Maintain adequate fluid intake if diarrhoea occurs.
• Charcoal normally makes stools black. However, seek immediate medical assistance if stools are black and sticky, contain visible blood or occur with dizziness or severe abdominal pain.
• Stop taking the product and seek immediate medical help if you develop swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing.

Driving and Operating Machinery

• Charcoal + Fungal Diastase + Papain is not normally expected to affect the ability to drive or operate machinery.
• Avoid these activities if you feel dizzy or unwell after taking it.

Use in Pregnancy and Lactation

• Adequate safety information is not available for this complete combination during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
• Consult your doctor before taking it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Charcoal can reduce the absorption of other oral medicines and nutritional supplements used during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Caution in Other Conditions

• Consult your doctor before taking this product if you have chronic constipation, reduced intestinal movement or a history of intestinal obstruction.
• People with an allergy to papaya or natural rubber latex may have an increased risk of an allergic reaction to papain.
• People with a severe fungal allergy should consult a doctor before using a product containing fungal diastase.
• If you have pancreatic insufficiency or persistent digestive symptoms, do not rely on this supplement alone. You may need appropriate investigation and treatment.

Special Dietary and Lifestyle Recommendations

• Eat slowly and chew food thoroughly to help reduce indigestion and bloating.
• Consider eating smaller meals instead of consuming a large amount of food at one time.
• Identify and limit foods that consistently worsen gas or bloating.
• Drink enough water and increase dietary fibre gradually to help prevent constipation.
• Avoid excessive alcohol consumption. This combination is not proven to prevent or treat a hangover.
• Consult your doctor if you have persistent indigestion, unexplained weight loss, difficulty swallowing, repeated vomiting or blood in your stools.