Drugs / Activated Charcoal
last change Jun 2026 re-read 2 minutes ago

Activated Charcoal

also known as AST-120 · Kremezin · charcoal powder · charconut · REN · Renamezin

Other / unclassified

Developed for
chronic kidney disease · acute kidney injury · hepatic encephalopathy · pouchitis · chronic renal failure syndrome · end stage renal failure · gastroesophageal reflux disease · hemorrhagic disease
+8 more · inflammatory bowel disease · intestinal fistula · irritable bowel syndrome · phenytoin toxicity · poisoning · renal osteodystrophy · uremia · anus disorder
Investigated by
Ocera Therapeutics · Chang Gung Memorial Hospital · Kureha Corporation · Astellas Pharma Inc · Conmed Pharmaceutical & Bio-Medical Corporation · Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota
+38 more · Tanabe Pharma Corporation · Tungs' Taichung Metroharbour Hospital · University Hospital of Saint-Etienne · Ain Shams University · Assiut University · Bristol-Myers Squibb · CHU de Quebec-Universite Laval · Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) · China Medical University Hospital · Denovo Biopharma LLC · Eli Lilly and Company · Emory University · Ewha Womans University · Fu Jen Catholic University · GlaxoSmithKline · Grünenthal GmbH · HK inno.N Corporation · Hoffmann-La Roche · Institute for Health Outcomes and Process Evaluation Reseach · Kaohsiung Medical University · Kyntra Bio · Laval University · Mansoura University · National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) · National Taiwan University Hospital · National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch · National Taiwan University Hospital, Yun-Lin Branch · Seoul National University Hospital · State University of New York - Upstate Medical University · Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital · Taichung Veterans General Hospital · Taipei Medical University Hospital · Taoyuan General Hospital · Toray Industries, Inc · Tri-Service General Hospital (TSGH) · University Hospital, Angers · VITAM - Centre de recherche en santé durable · Waleed Khaild Rahman Kareem Al-kabi

Trials 37 · a red edge is where a trial was stopped

PhaseRegistry idDatesIndicationSponsorStatusOutcome
Phase 01 trial
Phase 0 NCT04204772 Jan 2020 → Mar 2021 Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 110 trials
Phase 1 NCT05320094 Apr → Sep 2022 Bristol-Myers Squibb Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 1 NCT04767776 Jan → Sep 2022 University Hospital of Saint-Etienne Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 1 NCT02691325 Mar → Jun 2016 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease GlaxoSmithKline Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 1 NCT02693613 Feb → Apr 2016 Astellas Pharma Inc Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 1 NCT02657512 Jan → Feb 2016 University Hospital of Saint-Etienne Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 1 NCT01609218 Jun → Sep 2012 Denovo Biopharma LLC Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 1 NCT01409369 Aug 2011 → Feb 2012 Hoffmann-La Roche Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 1 NCT01389752 Jul → Sep 2011 major depressive disorder Eli Lilly and Company Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 1 NCT00719758 Jun → Sep 2008 Astellas Pharma Inc Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 1 NCT03951987 Feb → Apr 2004 Grünenthal GmbH Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 210 trials
Phase 2 NCT06906874 Aug → Nov 2025 overdue end stage renal failure, renal osteodystrophy Mansoura University Recruiting No outcome recorded
Phase 2 NCT06579066 Sep 2024 → Feb 2025 overdue chronic kidney disease Ain Shams University Not yet recruiting No outcome recorded
Phase 2 NCT04928950 Jan 2022 → Jan 2025 lung cancer Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota Withdrawn No outcome recorded
Phase 2 NCT04311645 Aug 2020 → Jul 2021 chronic kidney disease Assiut University Unknown No outcome recorded
Phase 2 NCT00867698 Mar 2009 → Apr 2010 hepatic encephalopathy Ocera Therapeutics Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 2 NCT00587275 Oct 2007 → Jun 2008 gastroesophageal reflux disease Ocera Therapeutics Terminated No outcome recorded
Phase 2 NCT00558038 Sep 2007 → Mar 2009 hepatic encephalopathy Ocera Therapeutics Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 2 NCT00583128 Aug 2007 → May 2010 irritable bowel syndrome Ocera Therapeutics Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 2 NCT00583531 Mar 2007 → Dec 2008 pouchitis Ocera Therapeutics Terminated No outcome recorded
Phase 2 NCT00583076 Feb 2007 → Mar 2008 pouchitis Ocera Therapeutics Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 2/31 trial
Phase 2/3 NCT05540431 Sep 2022 → Sep 2023 uremia Waleed Khaild Rahman Kareem Al-kabi Unknown No outcome recorded
Phase 34 trials
Phase 3 NCT02687841 Jan 2016 → Dec 2017 acute kidney injury National Taiwan University Hospital Unknown No outcome recorded
Phase 3 NCT00501046 Jul 2007 → Oct 2011 chronic kidney disease Tanabe Pharma Corporation Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 3 NCT00500682 Jul 2007 → Oct 2011 chronic kidney disease Tanabe Pharma Corporation Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 3 NCT00321412 Mar 2006 → Mar 2008 inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal fistula Ocera Therapeutics Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 410 trials
Phase 4 NCT07182422 Sep 2025 → Feb 2027 expected acute kidney injury Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Recruiting No outcome recorded
Phase 4 NCT05471479 Jul 2025 → Jun 2026 overdue Laval University Recruiting No outcome recorded
Phase 4 NCT06219967 Jan → Mar 2023 poisoning State University of New York - Upstate Medical University Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 4 NCT04639674 Jul 2020 → Aug 2022 Conmed Pharmaceutical & Bio-Medical Corporation Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 4 NCT02969746 Jul 2014 → Sep 2018 hemorrhagic disease University Hospital, Angers Withdrawn No outcome recorded
Phase 4 NCT01458652 Jan 2011 → Oct 2013 Tungs' Taichung Metroharbour Hospital Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 4 NCT01157260 Sep 2010 → Aug 2011 chronic kidney disease Ewha Womans University Unknown No outcome recorded
Phase 4 NCT00860431 Mar 2009 → Sep 2013 chronic kidney disease Seoul National University Hospital Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 4 NCT01681303 Jan 2009 → Sep 2011 chronic kidney disease Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 4 NCT00456859 Apr 2004 → Sep 2007 chronic renal failure syndrome Institute for Health Outcomes and Process Evaluation Reseach Completed No outcome recorded
Phase not applicable1 trial
NCT00823264 Aug 2008 → Jul 2010 phenytoin toxicity Emory University Completed No outcome recorded
Also used as a comparator or background therapy in 8 trials
PhaseRegistry idDatesIndicationSponsorStatusOutcome
Phase 13 trials
Phase 1 NCT04856098 Background May → Sep 2021 Orion Corporation, Orion Pharma Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 1 NCT04850144 Background Apr → Oct 2021 Orion Corporation, Orion Pharma Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 1 NCT00928278 Background Jul → Oct 2009 Pfizer Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 21 trial
Phase 2 NCT07201311 Background Jun 2026 → Jun 2028 expected poisoning Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris Recruiting No outcome recorded
Phase 32 trials
Phase 3 NCT06141473 Background Dec 2023 → May 2027 expected multiple sclerosis Sanofi Active not recruiting No outcome recorded
Phase 3 NCT01275560 Comparator Jan 2011 → Jun 2015 anus disorder University Hospital, Rouen Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 42 trials
Phase 4 NCT03788252 Comparator Nov 2018 → Jul 2020 chronic kidney disease Gumi Cha Medical Center Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 4 NCT02681952 Comparator Dec 2015 → Dec 2016 chronic renal failure syndrome Daewon Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Completed No outcome recorded

Evidence & citations 9 cited values

Every value below carries the sentence it was read from. 46 sources stand behind the page.

FieldValueCited text
Known as activated charcoal “The aims of our study were to assess the efficacy of metronidazole in a select population of patients with flatus incontinence associated with SIBO and to compare its efficacy...” PMID 28763464 Aug 2017
22

“Inhaled, 300/150, single dose + oral activated charcoal block” NCT00928278

Activated charcoal suspension, granules 50 g / bottle” NCT04856098

NCT02657512

NCT06219967

NCT04928950

NCT01389752

NCT05320094

NCT06906874

NCT05540431

NCT02691325

NCT01409369

NCT02969746

NCT04767776

NCT01609218

NCT05471479

NCT04850144

NCT04204772

NCT04311645

NCT00823264

NCT06579066

NCT06141473

NCT07201311

Known as AST-120 AST-120 is an oral absorbent capsule designed to remove circulating indoxyl sulfate, a uremic toxin.” NCT03788252
16

AST-120 (Kremezin) 2g three times a day” NCT01157260

NCT00583076

NCT04639674

NCT00587275

NCT00501046

NCT07182422

NCT00558038

NCT00321412

NCT00583128

NCT00583531

NCT00719758

NCT00867698

NCT02687841

NCT00500682

NCT00860431

NCT01681303

Known as charcoal powder ClinicalTrials.gov intervention name — accepted as the source's own label NCT03951987
Known as charconut “standard care plus Activated charcoal capsule (charconut) three times dialy for six weeks.” NCT05540431
Known as Kremezin “AST-120 (Kremezin®) Dosage: 6 g/day (2 g TID, oral) Duration: 14 days Background treatment: Standard post-AKD care” NCT07182422
6

“AST-120 (Kremezin) is a carbonated oral absorbent extensively used in Japan and Korea.” NCT01681303

NCT02693613

NCT01458652

NCT02681952

NCT01157260

NCT00456859

Known as REN “the control (CON) and AST-120 (Renamezin®, REN) groups” PMID 34862753 Dec 2021
Known as Renamezin “the control (CON) and AST-120 (Renamezin®, REN) groups” PMID 34862753 Dec 2021
Modality Other / unclassified “The experimental drug AST-120 is composed of black, odorless spherical carbon particles” NCT00321412
Route Oral “Both AST-120 and placebo are oral (taken by mouth)preparations.” NCT00321412