A potential side effect of activated charcoal is which of the following?

A potential side effect of activated charcoal is which of the following?

• A. Black, tarry stool
• B. Nausea
• C. Dizziness
• D. Headache

Answer: (A)

Activated charcoal remains in the gut and pigments the stool as it passes through, so a common and expected side effect is dark, black stool. This change in color is due to the charcoal itself and is not a sign of bleeding. While nausea can occur after administration, dizziness and headache are not typical or characteristic effects of activated charcoal; they are not as closely linked to its action. Hence, black, tarry stool is the best answer because the charcoal’s passage through the GI tract directly colors the stool.

Activated charcoal remains in the gut and pigments the stool as it passes through, so a common and expected side effect is dark, black stool. This change in color is due to the charcoal itself and is not a sign of bleeding. While nausea can occur after administration, dizziness and headache are not typical or characteristic effects of activated charcoal; they are not as closely linked to its action. Hence, black, tarry stool is the best answer because the charcoal’s passage through the GI tract directly colors the stool.