Constipation: The recommended dose of Movicol is 1 sachet a day. This can be increased to 2 or 3 sachets daily if necessary.
A dose of 8 sachets a day of Movicol is needed for the treatment of faecal impaction. Each sachet dissolved in 125ml (1/4 pint) of water. The 8 sachets should be taken within 6 hours for up to 3 days if required. If you have a heart condition, do not take more than 2 sachets in any one hour.
MOVICOL usually takes 1 to 2 days to trigger the first bowel movement.
Yes. MOVICOL® has an effective but gentle mode of action and is an appropriate first choice treatment for both occasional and chronic constipation. (But before you try a laxative, it is recommended that you try modifying your diet, water consumption and exercise routine).
The main active ingredient in MOVICOL® (called macrogol 3350) is virtually unabsorbed by your body. How long will it take? Because of the gentle, natural mode of action, it can take a day or so after starting MOVICOL® before you have your first bowel movement.
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. Prolonged use of laxatives is undesirable and may lead to dependence.
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.
Drink Ready To Take directly from the sachet. There is no need to dilute it with water. It is recommended you drink a glass of water or other liquid after drinking the sachet.
You can take MOVICOL® at any time of day that is convenient.
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.
Movicol won't make you have a bowel movement immediately; it can take one to two days of taking Movicol for it to work.
Powder sachets
Dissolve each sachet in 125ml (one-quarter of a pint) of water, or 62.5ml (one-eighth of a pint) of water if you're giving paediatric sachets to a child. Stir well, then drink.
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.
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.
Like all medicines, Movicol Lemon- Lime 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 Lemon-Lime.
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.
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.
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.
Tablets are usually taken at night and a bowel movement normally follows about 6-12 hours later.
While taking bulk-forming or osmotic laxatives it's particularly important to stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. This is because these laxatives can cause dehydration.
Empty the sachet of powder into a cup, glass, or bottle. Add the right amount of cold water and stir until the powder has dissolved and the water is clear.
Using laxatives for weight loss is not safe or effective. If a person weighs less after taking laxatives, this is likely to be due to water loss. 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.
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.