Activated Charcoal Reduces Lactulose-Induced Breath Hydrogen in Patients with Excessive Gas and in Controls

Objective: To evaluate the effect of activated charcoal on lactulose-induced breath hydrogen flatus passage and abdominal bloating in healthy controls and patients with complaints of excessive gas. Patients and Methods: Five male healthy controls and six male patients with complaints of excessive gas were enrolled. Breath H₂, flatus passage and abdominal bloating was noted after oral lactulose over an 8 hour period in both controls and patients. Effect of activated charcoal on all these parameters was evaluated. Results: Patients produced more breath H₂, more flatus and more bloating after oral lactulose compared to controls. Activated charcoal improved all these parameters in both patients and controls. Conclusion: Activated charcoal is effective in reducing breath H₂ flatus passage and abdominal bloating in response to oral lactulose.