Macrogols are often preferred to lactulose when treating older people with constipation due to greater evidence of efficacy. Macrogol 3350 includes sodium chloride (350.7 mg), sodium bicarbonate (178.5 mg) and potassium chloride (46.6 mg).
Osmotic laxatives such as polyethylene glycol (brand name Miralax) are well-tolerated by most older adults, and can be used daily.
First-line therapy should include bowel retraining, increased dietary fiber and fluid intake, and exercise when possible. Laxatives, stool softeners and nonabsorbable solutions may be needed in some patients with chronic constipation.
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.
Do not take Movicol if your doctor has told you that you have: an obstruction in your intestine (gut) a perforated gut wall. severe inflammatory bowel disease, like ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, or toxic megacolon.
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.
Increasing your fiber intake: Fiber-rich foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains, all help improve gut function. If you have bowel sensitivity, you'll want to avoid high-fructose fruits, such as apples, pears and watermelon, which can cause gas.
Bulking Agents (Fiber)
Fiber is the laxative most doctors recommend for normal and slow-transit constipation. Abdominal cramping, bloating, or gas can occur when abruptly increasing or changing your dietary fiber intake. Fiber is naturally available in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains (especially wheat bran).
Polyethylene glycol (Miralax) is the preferred osmotic laxative over lactulose for the treatment of constipation because it is more effective and has fewer adverse effects.
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.
MiraLAX ® provides complete, comfortable and predictable relief. MiraLAX ® offers both stool-softening and laxative effects. MiraLAX ® does not cause harsh side effects such as gas, bloating, cramping and sudden urgency. MiraLAX ® relieves occasional constipation that may be caused by certain medications.
DULCOLAX tablets are not recommended in children under 4 years of age. Children under 10 years of age: Use only on medical advice. If your doctor or pharmacist has changed the recommended dose, you should ask for further information from your doctor or pharmacist.
Metamucil® (Psyllium) treats constipation. It's a bulk-forming fiber laxative.
Dulcolax® Liquid Laxative works faster than MiraLAX. Dulcolax® works in as little as 30 minutes (30 minutes to 6 hours) while MiraLAX works in 1–3 days (based on product labeling).
MOVICOL® usually takes 1 to 2 days to trigger the first bowel movement.
Stomach/abdominal pain or cramping, nausea, diarrhea, or weakness may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. This medication may cause your urine to turn reddish-brown. This effect is harmless and will disappear when the medication is stopped.
Wear disposable gloves. Use damp paper towels to wipe up the stool off the skin, and put the used paper towels in a plastic trash bag. Gently wash the area with warm water and a soft cloth. Rinse well, and dry completely.
Straining is the most commonly identified symptom by older adults, even though physicians tend to rely on bowel movement frequency to diagnose constipation. Additionally, patients tend to underestimate their frequency of bowel movements. Normal stool frequency can vary between 3 motions per day and 3 motions per week.
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.
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).
You can take MOVICOL® at any time of day that is convenient.