Drugs used in constipation Sodium Picosulphate Stimulant Laxative Indication: Treatment of acute or chronic constipation Bowel clearance prior to colonoscopy Formulation: Liquid 5mg/5ml Dose: 2 – 5 years: 2.5 – 5ml daily 5 – 10 years: 5 – 10ml daily >10 years: 10 – 15ml daily Counselling: Give doses at night if possible. Contra-Indication: Undiagnosed…

Drugs used in constipation Senna Treatment of constipation Bowel prep prior to colonoscopy Formulation: Tablets 7.5mg/tablet as total sennoside Liquid 7.5mg/5ml as total sennoside Dose: 1ml/kg (maximum 60ml daily) 1 to 2 tablets at night for children over 6 years of age. Counselling: Dose can be taken in the morning if necessary. Side effects: Griping…

Drugs used in constipation Picolax Clearance of bowel prior to examinationby colonoscopy Weekend therapy for patients with chronic constipation Formulation: Oral powder. Active ingredients are sodium picosulphate 10mg with magnesium citrate formed in solution. Dose: < 1 year: None 1 – 4 years: 1/4 sachet 4 – 6 years: 1/2 sachet over 6 years: 1…

Drugs used in constipation Movicol Treatment of chronic constipation Bowel prep prior to colonoscopy. Formulation: Powder for oral solution Dose: Bowel prep < 10 years or < 35kg 1/2 sachet every 3 hours for 2 doses and then review > 10 years or >35kg 1 sachet every 3 hours for 2 doses and then review.…

Drugs used in constipation Liquid Paraffin Faecal softner Indication: Treatment of constipation Formulation: Oral emulsion Dose: 0.5ml/kg BD (TITRATE TO EFFECT) Counselling: Take at night but not immediately before going to bed. Contra-Indications: Nausea, vomiting and when abdominal pain is present. Side effects: Anal seepage and irritation may occur upon prolonged usage. Aspiration pneumonia Interactions:…

Drugs used in constipation Lactulose A semi synthetic disaccharide that is not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Indication: Treatment of constipation Formulation: Syrup Dose: 1ml/kg BD (max 45ml BD) titrate to effect Counselling: Syrup can be taken with water or other drinks Contra-Indications: Galactosaemia where there is evidence of gastrointestinal obstruction. Side effects: Flatulence may…

Drugs used in constipation Kleen Prep Stimulant laxative and faecal softner. Formulation: Oral powder Dose: Add contents of 1 sachet to 1 litre of water. Then 10ml/kg/hr for 30min then 20ml/kg/hr for 30min. If tolerated , increase to 25ml/kg/hr. Maximum volume is 100ml/kg or 4000ml (whichever is smaller) over 4 hours. Side effects: Nausea, abdominal…

Drugs used in constipation Docusate sodium Stimulant laxative and faecal softner. Indication: To prevent and treat chronic constipation. Formulation: Capsule 100mg Paediatric solution 12.5mg/5ml, Adult solution 50mg/5ml Dose: 2.5mg/kg tds Or < 1 year 12.5mg (bd – tds) 1 – 4 years: 12.5mg – 25mg (bd – tds) 5 – 12 years: 25 – 50mg…