Movicol Sachets

Movicol Sachets

Movicol Sachets and Lime flavoured sachets are used for the treatment of chronic constipation and faecal impaction in those aged 12 and over. This is a Pharmacy Medicine item. We will ask you to complete a questionnaire to ensure this is appropriate for you which our pharmacist will check.

Drug = Polyethylene Glycol

Strength = 13.125 Gm

Manufacturer =Win-medicare

How To Take

Take Movicol Sachets you are using as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. The dose needed, how often to take it and how long for depends on the severity of your constipation.

You can take Movicol Sachets for up to two weeks to relieve chronic constipation. If you need to take it for longer than this you should get advice from your doctor.

Your doctor may recommend that you take Movicol Sachets at a lower dose on a more regular basis if your constipation is caused by diseases such as Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis, or if you are taking regular medicines that cause constipation, such as opioid painkillers (eg morphine), antispasmodic medicines (eghyoscine, atropine) or anticholinergic medicines for Parkinson’s symptoms (egprocyclidine). In these situations the medicine can help produce regular bowel movements.

Dosage

Movicol Sachets

Side Effects

Sometimes people have a stomach ache or rumbles, or an allergic reaction, or feel bloated or sick. You may have diarrhoea especially when starting to take Movicol Sachets. If you feel weak, breathless, very thirsty with a headache, or get puffy ankles stop taking Movicol Sachets and tell your doctor. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you think Movicol Sachetsis causing you any problem.

Abdominal pain.

Feeling sick or vomiting.

Swelling or bloating of the abdomen.

Abdominal rumbling and gurgling sounds due to movement in the intestines.

Wind (flatulence).

Anal discomfort.

Diarrhoea.

Headache.

Warnings

The fluid content of Movicol Sachets when re-constituted with water does not replace regular fluid intake and adequate fluid intake must be maintained. Adverse reactions are possible as described under Adverse Reactions. If patients develop any symptoms indicating shifts of fluid/electrolytes (eg. oedema, shortness of breath, increasing fatigue, dehydration, cardiac failure) MOVICOL should be stopped immediately and electrolytes measured, and any abnormality should be treated appropriately.

The absorption of other medicinal products could transiently be reduced due to a decrease in gastro-intestinal transit time induced by MOVICOL (see interactions with other drugs).

As with all laxatives, prolonged use is not usually recommended and may lead to dependence. If prolonged use is necessary, it should only be under medical supervision. Extended use may be necessary in the care of patients with severe chronic or resistant constipation, secondary to multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s Disease, or induced by regular constipating medication, in particular opioids and antimuscarinics. Patients should be advised to drink plenty of water. They should also increase fibre in the diet, except in the case of medication-induced constipation.

Uses

Movicol Sachets helping people who have been constipated for a long time to have a comfortable bowel movement. Relieving more severe constipation known as faecal impaction, where there is a build up of compressed and hardened stools (faeces) in the rectum, as a result of chronic constipation. This should be diagnosed by a doctor.