Movicol paediatric plain
How does it work?
Each sachet of this medicine contains macrogol (polyethlene glycol '3350'), which is a type of medicine known as an osmotic laxative. Each sachet also contains sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride and potassium chloride. The contents of the sachets are mixed with water to make a drink.
Macrogol is an inert substance that passes through the gut without being absorbed into the body. It relieves constipation because it causes the water it is taken with to be retained in the bowel instead of being absorbed into the body. This increases the water content and volume of the stools in the bowel, making them softer and easier to pass.
The sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride and potassium chloride (electrolytes) are included in this medicine to help ensure that the laxative works without causing the body to gain or lose significant amounts of sodium, potassium or water.
This medicine is used to help children who have been constipated for a long time to have a comfortable bowel movement. It is also used to relieve and help prevent more severe constipation known as faecal impaction.
What is it used for?
Chronic constipation
Build up of compressed and hardened stools (faeces) in the rectum as a result of chronic constipation (faecal impaction)
Warning!
This medicine is not recommended for children under 2 years of age. It is recommended that children aged 12 years and older use Movicol.
This medicine is not recommended for children with heart or kidney problems.
This medicine should be given as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. The number of sachets to give depends on the condition being treated and the age of the child.
The contents of each sachet should be dissolved in 62.5ml of water (about a quarter of a glass). If needed you can add a flavour such as orange squash to the solution. For convenience, the correct number of sachets needed for each day can be made up in advance and kept covered in the fridge (2-8ºC) for up to 24 hours. Throw away any solution not used within a 24 hour period.
Consult your doctor if your child begins to feel weak, fatigued, breathless, very thirsty with a headache, or gets swollen ankles while taking this medicine. These symptoms may indicate that the child's fluid and electrolyte levels are disturbed and your doctor may need to take a blood test to check for this.
Use with caution in
Heart disease
Not to be used in
Blockage of the gut (intestinal obstruction)
Hole in the gut (intestinal perforation)
Inflammation of the bowel and back passage
Crohn's disease
Sudden expansion of the large intestine seen in advanced ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease (toxic megacolon)
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Label warnings
Dissolve or mix this medication with water before taking.
Side effects
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
Abdominal pain
Diarrhoea
Nausea
Vomiting
Swelling of abdomen (abdominal distension)
Abdominal rumbling and gurgling sounds due to movement in the intestines (borborygmi)
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.
For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.
How can this medicine affect other medicines?
Large volumes of fluid can flush tablets and capsules through the gut without giving them a chance to be absorbed into the body. For this reason, if you are giving your child a large volume of this medicine in one go (such as when treating faecal impaction), you should avoid giving other tablets or capsules in the hour before and after the dose. Ask your pharmacist for further advice.
Other medicines containing the same active ingredient
The documents contained in this web site are presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. The materials in this web site cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Conditions for use
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