acts locally in the colon to relieve constipation: 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.
MOVICOL works in harmony by using water and the body's own processes to facilitate regular bowel movement. MOVICOL is not a stimulant, and is not associated with 'lazy' bowel.
Unlike some laxatives on the market, Movicol is designed to give you more control over your bowel movements and is gentler that most products. 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.
MOVICOL® is gentle and works in harmony with the body. The main active ingredient, macrogol 3350, goes straight to the bowel where, by retaining a set amount of water, it softens, expands and lubricates the stool to trigger peristalsis - in the same way as your normal bowel movement.
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).
It is a laxative for the treatment of constipation in adults, adolescents and elderly. It is not recommended for children below 12 years of age. Movicol helps you to have a comfortable bowel movement even if you have been constipated for a long time. Movicol also works in very bad constipation called faecal impaction.
If you are taking Movicol for faecal impaction, it may be easier to dissolve 8 sachets in 1 litre of water. Drink plenty of water. Increase the fibre in your diet.
You can take MOVICOL® at any time of day that is convenient.
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.
Like all medicines, Movicol Ready To Take 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 Ready To Take.
Movicol won't make you have a bowel movement immediately; it can take one to two days of taking Movicol for it to work.
Fiber is the laxative most doctors recommend for normal and slow-transit constipation. Abdominal cramping, bloating, or gas can occur when abruptly increasing or changing your dietary fiber intake. Fiber is naturally available in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains (especially wheat bran).
stimulant laxatives – such as bisacodyl, senna and sodium picosulfate, which speed up the movement of your bowels by stimulating the nerves that control the muscles lining your digestive tract.
Perform stimulation with your finger every day until you start to have a regular pattern of bowel movements. You can also stimulate bowel movements by using a suppository (glycerin or bisacodyl) or a small enema. Some people find it helpful to drink warm prune juice or fruit nectar.
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.
If appears in your child's poo within 24 hours the impaction has cleared. What happens after the impaction has been treated? When your child has been passing type 7 poos with no lumps the laxative dose will be reduced. This may be done immediately, or it may be done gradually.
Movicol must be given with water. Choose an amount of water that your child can drink in one go. This amount must be at least 125 mL (about half a glass of water) per sachet for Movicol or at least 62.5 mL (about a quarter glass of water) for Movicol-Half or Movicol Paediatric Plain.
It is essential therefore to mix it with the correct amount of water or it will not work! Empty the sachet of powder into a cup/glass/bottle. First add the right amount of cold water and stir until the powder has dissolved and the water is clear.
If stool softeners aren't providing enough help, the osmotic laxative polyethylene glycol (MiraLAX or a generic version) is good next step. These products hold water in stool to soften it and increase bowel movements.
Senna. Extracted from the plant Senna alexandrina, senna is an herb that's often used as a natural stimulant laxative. Senna is found in many common over-the-counter products, including Ex-Lax, Senna-Lax, and Senokot.
Whole wheat bread, pasta, bran and cereals – Adding weight to stools to speed up passing through the intestines, whole wheat foods are a great way to encourage bowel movements. A clever way to add even more fibre to your diet is to choose whole wheat bread and cereals that contain nuts and seeds.
Osmotic laxatives such as polyethylene glycol (brand name Miralax) are well-tolerated by most older adults, and can be used daily.
Senna (Senokot, Ex-Lax, Senexon)
Sennosides induce defecation by acting directly on the intestinal mucosa or nerve plexus, which stimulates peristaltic activity, by increasing intestinal motility. Senna usually produces its action 8-12 hours after administration.
If you take too much Movicol Flavour Free and get bad diarrhoea, stop taking Movicol Flavour Free until the diarrhoea stops. If constipation returns, you should check with your doctor or pharmacist. If you are worried, contact your doctor or pharmacist.