Quick answers
- What is Activated charcoal used for?
- The Drug Facts label of Insta-Char Aqueous (VistaPharm, LLC) lists these uses: for emergency use to adsorb swallowed poisons.
- Do I need a prescription for Activated charcoal?
- No. The products on this page are sold without a prescription (over the counter).
- Is a store brand the same as the name brand?
- Products listed together below have the same active ingredient, in the same amount and the same form, as registered with the FDA. Inactive ingredients (such as colors, flavors and fillers) and package sizes can differ. Compare the “Active ingredient” box on both packages, and ask a pharmacist if you are not sure.
- Has Activated charcoal been recalled?
- No recall linked to these products appears in the FDA enforcement reports we use.
Drug Facts label
Every over-the-counter medicine must carry a “Drug Facts” box in the same order, set by FDA rules. Below is the label of one product for each common strength and form, quoted word for word. Your own package can differ (for example, children’s products have other directions): always follow the label on your package.
Insta-Char Aqueous · VistaPharm, LLC
Activated charcoal 25 g/240 mL, suspension (oral)
Active ingredient (in each 240 mL)
Activated charcoal, USP 25 g
Purpose
Poison adsorbent
Uses
for emergency use to adsorb swallowed poisons
Warnings
Do not give activated charcoal until after patient has vomited unless directed by a health professional
Do not use
in persons who are not fully conscious
Do not use
this product unless directed by a health professional if turpentine, corrosives such as alkalies (lye) and strong acids or petroleum distillates, such as kerosene, gasoline, paint thinner, cleaning fluid or furniture polish have been ingested
If pregnant or breast-feeding
ask a health professional before use.
Keep out of reach of children
Directions
SHAKE VIGOROUSLY TO SUSPEND CHARCOAL BEFORE USE remove foil seal underneath cap and replace cap cut off delivery tip of bottle 3/4 inch from end for drinking administer entire bottle, 25 g of activated charcoal in 240 mL, or as directed by a health professional repeat dose immediately, if possible if previous attempts to contact a poison control center, emergency medical facility, or health professional were unsuccessful, continue trying keep patient active and moving save the container of poison
Other information
store at 20-25ºC (68-77ºF)
Inactive ingredients
citric acid, glycerin, propylene glycol, purified water, sucrose
Questions?
1-888-655-1505
— FDA label of Insta-Char Aqueous, VistaPharm, LLC, effective January 16, 2025. See the official label on DailyMed →
Actidose Aqua · Padagis US LLC
Activated charcoal 208 mg/mL, suspension (oral)
Active ingredient (in each tube)
Activated Charcoal
Purpose
Poison Adsorbent
Uses
- For emergency use to adsorb swallowed poisons.
Warnings
- Do not give activated charcoal until after the patient has vomited unless directed by a health professional.
Do not use
in persons who are not fully conscious.
Do not use
this product, unless directed by a health professional, if turpentine, corrosives (such as alkalies (lye) and strong acids), or petroleum distillates (such as kerosene, gasoline, paint thinner, cleaning fluid, or furniture polish), have been ingested.
Keep out of reach of children
Directions
Oral Dosage: 20 to 30 grams of activated charcoal in a minimum of 8 ounces of liquid or as directed by a health professional. Repeat dose immediately, if possible.
- Shake well
- Snip tapered tip as indicated in drawing and remove. Holding the tube upright, carefully cut off tube closure. Reattach tapered tip and connect to any charcoal administration set or squeeze contents in a cup with a minimum of 4 ounces of liquid for patient to drink.
- If previous attempts to contact a poison control center, emergency medical facility, or health professional were unsuccessful, continue trying.
- Keep patient active and moving.
- Save the container of poison.
Inactive ingredients
Citric acid, glycerin, propylene glycol, sucrose, and water.
Questions?
Please call 1-866-634-9120
— FDA label of Actidose Aqua, Padagis US LLC, effective July 28, 2026. See the official label on DailyMed →
This page is not medical advice. Read the label on your package, and ask a pharmacist or doctor if you are not sure a medicine is right for you, for your child, or with your other medicines.
Same medicine, other brands
Each group lists the products that have exactly the same active ingredient, in the same amount and form, as registered with the FDA (NDC Directory). A store brand in the same group has the same medicine as the name brand; inactive ingredients, flavors and package sizes can differ. Each product links to its own official label.
Activated charcoal 25 g/240 mL · suspension (oral) · 3 products
Drug Facts for this strength and form ↑
| Brand or product name | Company on the label | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Insta-Char Aqueous | VistaPharm, LLC | DailyMed |
| Insta-Char Sorbitol | VistaPharm, LLC | DailyMed |
Activated charcoal 208 mg/mL · suspension (oral) · 2 products
Drug Facts for this strength and form ↑
| Brand or product name | Company on the label | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Actidose | Padagis US LLC | DailyMed |
| Actidose Aqua | Padagis US LLC | DailyMed |
Companies that sell this medicine
The company named on the package (maker or distributor), as listed in the FDA NDC Directory, with its number of over-the-counter products of this medicine.
- VistaPharm, LLC3 products
- Padagis US LLC2 products
Recalls
No recall linked to these products (by their NDC code or label) appears in the FDA enforcement reports.
Sources
- Drug labeling (SPL, openFDA) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), FDA data exported October 30, 2026, retrieved October 31, 2026
- NDC Directory (openFDA) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), FDA data exported October 30, 2026, retrieved October 31, 2026
- Drug recall enforcement reports (openFDA) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), FDA data exported October 27, 2026, retrieved October 31, 2026
- FDA rule for the Drug Facts label (21 CFR 201.66)
Only medicines marketed under FDA rules for nonprescription drugs (an FDA monograph or an FDA approval) are listed. Homeopathic products are not listed: the FDA does not evaluate them for safety or effectiveness.