Picolon Solution 100 mg/100 ml

Stimulant laxative for:

• Short-term relief of constipation
• Bowel clearing before X-ray, colonoscopy or surgery (as a special combination sachet with magnesium citrate)

Constipation (oral drops/solution 5 mg/5 ml or 7.5 mg/ml drops, tablets 5 mg):

• Adults and children over 10 years: 5–10 mg at bedtime.
• Children 4–10 years: 2.5–5 mg at bedtime.
• Children under 4 years: only on medical advice (about 250 microgram/kg).
• Works in 6–12 hours.

Bowel preparation: follow the specific product and hospital instructions exactly, with plenty of clear fluids.

• Do not use daily for more than a few days without medical advice.

• Bowel obstruction or ileus, severe abdominal pain of unknown cause, acute inflammatory bowel disease, appendicitis
• Severe dehydration
• Allergy to sodium picosulfate

Common: abdominal cramps, discomfort, diarrhoea, wind, nausea.

With overuse: dehydration, low potassium and sodium, dizziness, fainting; long-term misuse may cause a sluggish bowel.

Bowel prep: low sodium (rarely seizures), headache, vomiting.

• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Elderly, kidney disease, heart disease, people on diuretics: risk of electrolyte imbalance.
• Constipation lasting more than 2 weeks, or with bleeding or weight loss, needs medical review.
• Increase fibre and fluids as a long-term measure.

Use in pregnancy only on medical advice (try fibre and osmotic laxatives first). Not detected in breast milk; may be used while breastfeeding.

• Diuretics, corticosteroids (low potassium)
• Digoxin (toxicity with low potassium)
• Broad-spectrum antibiotics (may reduce laxative effect)
• Bowel prep may reduce absorption of other oral medicines taken around the same time

Diarrhoea, dehydration, loss of potassium and other salts. Give fluids; seek medical care.

Store below 30°C.