Overdosage. If you take too much Movicol and get bad diarrhoea, stop taking Movicol until it clears. If constipation recurs, you should check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking a new course of Movicol then start again at a lower dose. If you are worried, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, Movicol Flavour Free can have side effects. Sometimes people have indigestion, stomach ache or rumbles. You may also feel bloated, suffer from wind, feel sick or vomit, may also experience soreness of the anus (bottom) and may have mild diarrhoea when starting to take Movicol Flavour Free.
In studies of up to 2 years duration, MOVICOL® has been shown to be generally well tolerated. As with all laxatives, prolonged use is not usually recommended, except under the guidance of a healthcare professional. Use in children aged 2 years and older should be limited to 12 weeks, except under medical supervision.
Usually people find that Movicol takes effect around one to two days after taking it. The duration of the treatment for constipation may continue for up to two weeks.
If you take more Movicol than you should: You may develop excessive diarrhoea, which can lead to dehydration. If this occurs, stop taking Movicol and drink plenty of fluids. If you are worried contact your doctor or pharmacist.
The recommended dose of Movicol is 1 sachet a day. This can be increased to 2 or 3 sachets daily if necessary.
MOVICOL® can be used by patients with renal insufficiency with no need to adjust the dose. The MOVICOL® range contains no sucrose (sugar). (Some varieties contain acesulfame potassium and/or sucralose, which are sweeteners not known to affect blood sugar).
Unlike some laxatives that work to cause bowel contractions through direct nerve stimulation, MOVICOL® has a natural mode of action that works gently, in harmony with your body. acts locally in the colon to relieve constipation: The water retained by MOVICOL® softens the stool and bulks it up slightly.
You can take MOVICOL® at any time of day that is convenient.
It is recommended that you drink a glass of water or other fluid after you take Movicol Ready To Take. When taking Movicol Ready To Take you should continue to take plenty of fluids. The fluid content of Movicol should not replace your regular liquid intake. Constipation: The recommended dose is one sachet daily.
Movicol is usually well tolerated although side effects such as abdominal pain & diarrhoea may occur either because of over treatment or because of overflow (see above). Other side effects include a rumbly tummy (borborygmi), nausea and vomiting. Abdominal distension,flatulence and ano-rectal pain may also occur.
Don't worry – soft stools mean MOVICOL has started to work. However, if the poo becomes very runny or diarrhoea (see Stool Type 7 on the chart in this leaflet), you should stop taking your medicine until the runny poo stops. Then start again using fewer sachets.
MOVICOL® is a gentle and effective treatment for both chronic and occasional constipation. It has been available around the world for more than 20 years, and there are many clinical studies that prove its effectiveness and gentle mode of action.
BULK-FORMING LAXATIVES
e.g. bran, ispaghula husk, psyllium, sterculia. an effective remedy, but they can take up to three days to work.
Osmotic Laxatives
There are several brands of macrogol 3350 oral powder available. Currently the most cost-effective brands are Laxido® and CosmoCol®. There are no clinical differences between the brands. Movicol® is not included in the Lanarkshire Formulary.
In general, bulk-forming laxatives, also referred to as fiber supplements, are the gentlest on your body and safest to use long term. Metamucil and Citrucel fall into this category.
Constipation is highly prevalent in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is primarily characterized by decreased intestinal motility. This chronic disorder affects the quality of life of patients.
Drink Ready To Take directly from the sachet. There is no need to dilute it with water. It is recommended you drink a glass of water or other liquid after drinking the sachet.
It may be a few hours, or sometimes a day or more, before your child produces a soft stool (poo). This will depend on how bad the constipation is and its cause. Your doctor may give you a plan to give more sachets in a day if the Movicol does not appear to be working at first.
Powder sachets
Dissolve each sachet in 125ml (one-quarter of a pint) of water, or 62.5ml (one-eighth of a pint) of water if you're giving paediatric sachets to a child. Stir well, then drink.
The usual dose is between 1-3 or 4 sachets daily to achieve a type 4 stool and regular bowel movements. If the stool becomes watery loose then reduce the daily maintenance dose. However, soiling can also indicate inadequate dose. If soiling recurs you should make contact with a health professional for advice.
The water retained by MOVICOL® softens the stool and bulks it up slightly. As the stool gently expands, it naturally triggers colonic activity and a bowel movement. Because of the lubricating effect of MOVICOL® and the rehydrated, softened, stool - the bowel movement feels comfortable.
About macrogol Brand names: Movicol, Laxido, CosmoCol, Molaxole. Macrogol (or macrogols) is a laxative taken to treat constipation (difficulty pooing). You can also use it to help clear a build-up of hard poo in your bowel, which can happen if you've been constipated for a long time (faecal impaction).
Empty the sachet of powder into a cup, glass, or bottle. Add the right amount of cold water and stir until the powder has dissolved and the water is clear.