If you need to take Movicol for longer, please see your doctor. Usually for long term treatment the dose can be lowered to either 1 or 2 sachets a day. Faecal impaction: Treatment with Movicol can be for up to 3 days.
Are there any issues with long term use of MOVICOL? MOVICOL has been shown to be generally well tolerated in studies of up to 2 years duration. 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.
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.
Your child may have stomach ache, feel sick (nausea) or be sick (vomit) or may feel bloated. They may also get diarrhoea. These effects are more likely if they have several sachets of Movicol in one day to treat severe constipation. These side-effects can also be related to the constipation.
The recommended dose of Movicol is 1 sachet a day. This can be increased to 2 or 3 sachets daily if necessary.
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.
Bulk-forming laxatives.
They are considered the safest type of laxative and the only type that might be recommended for daily use. Examples are psyllium (Metamucil), polycarbophil (FiberCon), and methylcellulose (Citrucel). It is important to drink plenty of fluids with a bulk laxative.
The overuse of laxatives can lead to electrolyte disturbances, dehydration and mineral deficiencies. Laxative abuse can also cause long-term and potentially permanent damage to the digestive system, including chronic constipation and damage to the nerves and muscles of the colon.
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 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.
You can take MOVICOL® at any time of day that is convenient.
There is no cure for slow transit constipation. Treatment options may include: medication to improve bowel motility. regular enemas to flush the rectum of faeces.
While they only are intended for short-term relief of constipation, using a daily stool softener long-term probably is not harmful.
You can take macrogol for as long as the constipation lasts, or for as long as a doctor has recommended. This will usually be for up to 2 weeks. Usually, it's best to only take macrogol when you have constipation. You can stop taking it for short-term constipation if you're going to the toilet as normal.
Try natural laxatives that work fast for constipation relief, which include: aloe vera, leafy greens, chia and flax seeds, high fiber fruits, probiotic foods, and coconut water. Also make sure to drink plenty of water/fluids when consuming natural laxatives, since these work with high fiber foods to help soften stool.
After long-term laxative abuse, the intestines lose normal tone and nerve response, and can no longer contract to evacuate stool normally. This is often reversible, but recovery may be a slow process.
Insoluble fiber is the most beneficial for softening stools. It does not dissolve in water and helps food pass more quickly from the stomach to the intestines. Wholewheat flour, nuts, beans, and vegetables, such as cauliflower, green beans, and potatoes all contain insoluble fiber.
Coffee can speed up your poop conveyor belt. It's a natural laxative. “The gastro release is stimulated by the coffee itself,” says Dr. Lee. “It gets things moving.”
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.
BULK-FORMING LAXATIVES
e.g. bran, ispaghula husk, psyllium, sterculia. an effective remedy, but they can take up to three days to work.
Movicol also contains sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride and potassium chloride. Macrogol is an inert substance that passes through the gut without being absorbed into the body. It relieves constipation by causing water to be retained in the bowel instead of being absorbed into the body.