Movicol®
MovicolŪ is currently available in the following European
countries: |
- Austria
- Belgium
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
|
- Germany
- Ireland
- Italy
- Luxembourg
- Malta
|
- Netherlands (Movicolon®)
- Norway
- Portugal
- Slovakia
- Spain
|
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In addition MovicolŪ is
currently available in: |
- Algeria
- Australia
- Baharain
- China
- Kuwait
|
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Morocco
- New Zealand
- Oman
|
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- South Africa
- Sri Lanka
- Tunisia
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This section provides a summary
of the drug information for MovicolŪ. It is still important
that you carefully read the full patient information leaflet
before you start to take any medication. If you require
any further information or have any questions about Movicol,
or other aspects of your constipation treatment, you should
discuss these with your doctor or other healthcare professional.
|
Availability - Formulation |
 |
Movicol is available as a free
flowing white powder for oral administration, in solution.
Each 13.8g sachet of powder contains the following ingredients:
-
Macrogol (polyethylene Glycol) 3350 13.125g
-
Sodium Chloride 350.7mg
-
Sodium Bicarbonate 178.5mg
-
Potassium Chloride 46.6mg
Movicol-Half® is a 6.9g sachet and is formulated
with half the above quantities of ingredients. |
How does Movicol work?
A solution of Movicol delivers water to the large bowel,
increasing the bulk of the stool, which triggers the muscles
of the bowel to contract and produce a bowel movement.
The water in Movicol solution is not absorbed into the
body so it can also soften and lubricate the stools to
promote comfortable bowel movements. |
Indications:
Movicol is indicated for the treatment of chronic constipation
and also works in very bad constipation (called faecal
impaction). Movicol helps you have a comfortable bowel
movement even if you have been constipated for a long
time. |
Before you take Movicol
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
- Ileus
- An allergy to any of the ingredients
If you are pregnant or breast feeding, talk to your doctor
before you take Movicol |
Possible undesirable effects of Movicol
These are the most commonly reported undesirable effects
with Movicol. It does not necessarily mean that you will
experience some or all of them.
Sometimes people have stomach ache or rumbles, or an allergic
reaction, or feel bloated or sick. You may have mild diarrhoea
especially when starting to take Movicol. If any of the
above are troublesome or last more than a few days, or
if you experience any other undesirable effect that is
not listed, tell your pharmacist or doctor.
If you feel weak, breathless, very thirsty, with a headache,
or get puffy ankles stop taking Movicol and tell your
doctor immediately. |
The dose of Movicol
Chronic constipation
The dose of is Movicol 1 sachet. Take this 1-3 times daily
in divided doses, according to the severity of your constipation.
Since you have Parkinson’s disease which can cause
constipation your doctor may recommend that you take Movicol
long term especially if you are also taking medicines
that cause constipation. Usually for long-term treatment
the dose can be adjusted down to either one or two sachets
daily.
Faecal impaction
The dose is 8 sachets a day taken within 6 hours. If you
have a heart condition do not take more than two sachets
in any one hour. You may need to take this dose for up
to 3 days. |
How to take Movicol
If you are taking Movicol for faecal impaction, it may
be easier to dissolve 4 sachets in about 1 pint (500ml)
of water.
If you take too much Movicol and get bad diarrhoea, stop
taking until it clears, then start again at a lower dose. |
How to store Movicol
Store your at room temperature (do not store above 25°C).
Do not use Movicol after the expiry date on the label.
Once you have made up Movicol in water, if you cannot
drink it straight away put in fridge (2-8°C) and keep
it covered. Throw away any solution not used within a
six-hour period. |
Useful links and references
For more information on Parkinson’s Disease:
To learn more about Norgine
|
Further reading: Clinical trials with Movicol
- Macrogol 3350/Electrolyte Improves Constipation in
Parkinson’s Disease and Multiple System Atrophy
Movement Disorders Vol 16 No 6 2001 Eichhorn T, Oertel
W
- Efficacy and tolerability of PEG 3350 plus electrolytes
(Movicol®) in chronic constipation associated with
Parkinson’s disease
European Journal of Geriatrics Vol 6 (2004) No. 3 Gruss
H, Ulm G
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