Movicol 13.7g Sachets 30

What is Movicol 13.7g Sachets 30?

Movicol is a powder that you dissolve in a glass of water to treat chronic constipation. Each sachet contains macrogol 3350 with a small measured amount of salts (electrolytes). Under pharmacist guidance it can also be used at a higher dose to clear faecal impaction, which is a hard build-up of stool that will not shift on its own. It is a pharmacy medicine, so our pharmacist checks it is right for you before it is dispensed.

How does it help?

Macrogol 3350 is an osmotic laxative. It is not absorbed by the body; instead it holds water in the stool as it moves through the bowel, so the stool becomes softer, bulkier and easier to pass without straining. The electrolytes in each sachet help keep your body's salt balance steady while it works. Each sachet is dissolved in 125ml of water. For chronic constipation the usual dose is one to three sachets a day in divided doses; it normally takes a day or two to work, and treatment is often continued for a couple of weeks.

Key benefits

• Softens the stool and helps restore a regular bowel habit
• Works gently in the gut rather than by stimulating the bowel muscle
• Licensed for both chronic constipation and, with pharmacist guidance, faecal impaction
• Can be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding, because very little macrogol is absorbed

Who should take care?

Always read the patient information leaflet before use. Not recommended for children under 12. Do not take Movicol if you have a blockage or perforation of the bowel, a bowel that has stopped moving (ileus), or a severe inflammatory bowel condition such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis or toxic megacolon. Do not take if you are allergic to macrogol or any of the other ingredients. Each sachet contains a significant amount of sodium, which matters if you are on a low-salt diet or have heart or kidney problems. The dissolved drink does not replace your normal fluid intake. Stop taking it and contact a pharmacist or doctor if you develop swelling, breathlessness, unusual tiredness or signs of dehydration. Movicol can reduce how well other medicines are absorbed if taken at the same time, and it should not be mixed with starch-based thickeners. Ask our pharmacist if you are unsure.