Each drug has a specific active ingredient. Some preparations contain several of these components. In this case, the manufacturer can give any trade name to the drug, but the principle of its operation will be unchanged. Sodium picosulfate also belongs to the active medicinal substances. The price of medicines based on it and their trade names will be presented to your attention in the article. You will also learn about the features of the use of this medicine.
Characteristics of the active substance
What is sodium picosulfate? It is an active ingredient in some laxatives. It stimulates the nerve receptors of the intestine, enhances its peristalsis, softens the feces and facilitates the act of defecation. The main substance is formed by hydrolysis under the action of beneficial microorganisms that inhabit the human intestine. The drug helps to reduce the absorption of electrolytes, as well as water from the digestive tract.
Sodium picosulfate is notabsorbed into the systemic circulation, the component is not involved in the hepato-intestinal circulation. The effect of the drug occurs in about 6-12 hours. Sodium picosulfate preparations are not fast-acting laxatives, but they are safe medicines.
Sodium picosulfate: preparations
What are the trade names for this active ingredient? The drugs are available in different forms. It can be drops, suspensions, tablets or bars. In the pharmacy you can buy the following medicines:
- Guttalax (250-350 rubles).
- Laxigal (200 rubles).
- Guttasil (150-250 rubles).
- Regulax (300 rubles).
- "Weak" (150 rubles) and so on.
Medicals may contain additional active ingredients. You need to pay attention to this.
Indications for use, contraindications
Sodium picosulfate is used to treat constipation of various nature and origin. The instructions indicate the following indications for use:
- weakened intestinal motility;
- primary and secondary constipation;
- inability to have a bowel movement after surgery;
- change in climate and diet;
- anal fissures and hemorrhoids;
- preparation for surgery or rectal examination.
It is contraindicated to use medicines in the following pathologies and conditions:
- hypersensitivity to ingredients;
- uterine bleeding;
- intestinal obstruction;
- cystitis;
- acute abdominal pain;
- appendicitis.
In the first trimester of pregnancy, these drugs are not used. For long periods, medications can only be used as directed by a doctor and when assessing all risks to the fetus.
Sodium picosulfate: instructions, dosage, scheme of use
Drugs used before bed at night. In this case, the desired effect will be obtained immediately after waking up. The medicine is taken orally in the amount of 10 drops for adults and 5-8 for children from 4 years old. If a medication is chosen in the form of tablets, then sodium picosulfate is used in 2 lozenges for adults and 0.5-1 for children. Please note that the medicine is prescribed for babies under 4 years old only by a specialist according to the relevant indications.
Before using the drug, you need to study the annotation. It describes in detail the scheme of reception and the duration of the use of a particular remedy. Depending on the response to the initial dose, the volume of the drug should be adjusted, choosing the most suitable option for yourself.
When using large portions of the drug, diarrhea may develop, accompanied by paroxysmal pain in the abdomen. Prolonged overdose causes chronic ischemia of the mucous membrane of the large intestine, urolithiasis, impaired water and electrolyte balance. With such consequences, the medication should be canceled and restorative therapy should be carried out: rinse the stomach, use sorbents and, if thisrequired, take antidiarrheal medications.
Additional information
About the substance sodium picosulfate, consumer reviews are mostly positive. Patients say that with the help of the described drugs, they managed to restore normal bowel function. Special attention is paid to the fact that medicines are not addictive. But the instruction does not recommend using the formulations on their own for more than 10 days. If, after discontinuation of the medicine, constipation returned again, then you should consult a doctor to find the cause of the ailment.
During the use of the substance sodium picosulfate, it is recommended to drink enough liquid and follow a diet. The drug does not combine well with broad-spectrum antibiotics. Such drugs can reduce the effectiveness of a laxative. Diuretics, on the contrary, increase the likelihood of adverse reactions, in particular water and electrolyte imbalance. Have a nice day!
