A special slow-release formulation of activated charcoal can protect the gut microbiome from the harmful effects of antibiotics while still allowing the antibiotic to make its way to the bloodstream where it can fight infection (small clinical study).

This formulation is called DAV132 and coadministration of it with strong antibiotics dramatically reduced undesired intestinal antibiotic levels by over 99% without eliciting any adverse side effects. Importantly, they found that DAV132 did not impact plasma concentrations of the antibiotic, ensuring that antibiotics would still maintain full activity against a patient’s infection.