Usually people find that Movicol takes effect around one to two days after taking it.
MOVICOL® usually takes 1 to 2 days to trigger the first bowel movement.
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.
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.
The recommended dose of Movicol is 1 sachet a day. This can be increased to 2 or 3 sachets daily if necessary.
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.
You should drink an extra litre of fluid per day while you are taking the medicine to treat faecal impaction.
You can take MOVICOL® at any time of day that is convenient.
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. As the stool gently expands, it naturally triggers colonic activity and a bowel movement.
Movicol powder
If your child does not drink enough water with it, the medicine will not work properly and your child may become dehydrated. Open the sachet and pour the contents into the water. Stir well until all the powder has dissolved and the mixture is clear or slightly hazy.
The daily number of sachets should be taken in divided doses, all taken within 12 hours (e.g. 8am – 8pm). Each sachet dissolved in 62.5 ml (1/4 of a glass) of water. Treatment can be stopped when the medicine has worked.
When you have a fecal impaction, you'll need to have the hard mass of stool removed from your colon or rectum to get better. It won't go away on its own, and it can lead to death if it's allowed to worsen.
Dietary fibre is important as it helps to bulk and create soft stools that are easier to pass. Eating foods like fruits, vegetables and wholemeal bread can increase your daily intake of fibre.
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).
The macrogol in MOVICOL binds with water and retains it in the bowel. This allows the water to rehydrate and bulk the stool to trigger renewed colonic activity.
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.
Water loss from laxative use is temporary and is not the same as losing body fat. Laxatives do not reduce body weight in the long term. Laxatives have several potential side effects, including diarrhea and dehydration. Eating a nutritious diet and exercising regularly may help a person reach their desired weight.
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. MOVICOL® does not ferment either, which means less likelihood of gas or bloating/wind.
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.
A course of treatment for faecal impaction with Movicol does not normally exceed 3 days. Adults, adolescents and the older people: 8 sachets daily, all of which should be consumed within a 6 hour period. Children (below 12 years old): Not recommended. Alternative Movicol products are available for children.
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. The resultant liquid can be mixed with anything your child likes, to encourage them to drink it e.g. squash, juice, hot chocolate, milk.
You can mix Movicol with any drink, including warm drinks. Some children like it in jelly and yoghurts. There should be different flavour to select from - chocolate, vanilla.
Stimulant laxatives such as senna or bisacodyl and osmotic laxatives such as macrogol (Movicol) are most effective. Combined stimulant laxative with a stool softener (Coloxyl with Senna, Sennesoft) can be used.