Picolax 10

Introduction
Picolax 10 is a medicine used to treat constipation. It is a laxative and helps you empty your bowels. It works by increasing movement in the intestine and provides relief from constipation. Picolax 10 should be taken in a dose as advised by your doctor and take it at a fixed time at night. You should not use this medicine for more than a few days unless your doctor tells you to. Some lifestyle changes can help with constipation, for example eating more fibre in foods such as fruit, vegetables and cereals, drinking plenty of fluids and taking regular exercise. The most common side effects of taking this medicine are headache, nausea and vomiting. These are usually mild and go away after a couple of days. If they persist, your doctor may suggest ways of preventing or reducing them. Before using this medicine you should tell your doctor if you have a blockage in your bowel, upset stomach or your bowel movements have been different for more than two weeks.

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Uses of Picolax 10
Constipation
Side effects of Picolax 10
Common
Vomiting
Headache
Nausea
How to use Picolax 10
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Picolax 10 may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
How Picolax 10 works
Picolax 10 is a laxative. It works by increasing the movement of the intestines, thereby facilitating the passage of stool.
What if you forget to take Picolax 10?
If you miss a dose of Picolax 10, skip it and continue with your normal schedule. Do not double the dose.
Quick Tips
Together with Picolax 10, taking a fiber-rich diet containing whole grain bread and cereals, bran, fruits and green leafy vegetables, is essential to maintain healthy bowel function.
Avoid taking a Picolax 10 for more than 1 week, unless prescribed by the doctor, as it leads to dependency on the laxative action to produce a bowel movement.
Take Picolax 10 after 2 hours from other medicines, as it may interfere with the absorption of other medicines.
Picolax 10 should be preferably taken at bedtime because it requires 6 to 8 hours to show impact.
Brief Description
Indication
Constipation, Bowel evacuation before investigational procedures
Administration
May be taken with or without food.
Adult Dose
Oral Constipation Adult: 5-10 mg as a single dose, usually at bedtime. Bowel evacuation before investigational procedures Adult: 10 mg, w/ Mg citrate, given in the morning and again in the afternoon of the day before examination.

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Child Dose
Oral Constipation Child: 1 mth to <4 yr 0.25 mg/kg. Max: 5 mg; 4-10 yr 2.5-5 mg; >10 yr 5-10 mg. Doses are usually given at night. Bowel evacuation before investigational procedures Child: 1 mth to <4 yr 0.25 mg/kg. Max: 5 mg; 4-10 yr 2.5-5 mg; >10 yr 5-10 mg. Doses are usually given at night.

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Contraindication
Acute inflammatory bowel diseases, severe dehydration, ileus or intestinal obstruction, severe painful and/or feverish acute abdominal conditions (e.g. appendicitis) potentially associated w/ nausea and vomiting.
Mode of Action
Sodium picosulfate is a locally acting laxative which has a dual action of stimulating the mucosa of both the large intestine causing colonic peristalsis and of the rectum causing increased motility and a feeling of rectal fullness.
Precaution
Childn. Pregnancy and lactation.
Side Effect
Abdominal discomfort (e.g. abdominal pain and cramps), diarrhoea. Rarely, allergic reactions (e.g. skin reactions, angioedema).
Interaction
Increased risk of electrolyte imbalance w/ diuretics or adreno-corticosteroids. Increased sensitivity to cardiac glycosides resulting from electrolyte imbalance. Reduced laxative action w/ antibiotics.