Drug reference

Sodium picosulfate

BNF 80 (2020–2021)

Source: BNF 80 (2020–2021)
PDF pages: 90

Review source pages for extracted sections and age labels. BNF dose snippets show only their first line.

Overview

Drug Action

Sodium picosulfate is a stimulant laxative. After metabolism in the colon it stimulates the mucosa thereby increasing the motility of the large intestine.

PDF page 90

Indications And Dose

Constipation ▶BY MOUTH ▶Child 1 month–3 years: 2.5–10 mg once daily, adjusted according to response ▶Child 4–17 years: 2.5–20 mg once daily, adjusted according to response ▶Adult: 5–10 mg once daily, dose to be taken at bedtime Constipation (dose approved for use by community practitioner nurse prescribers) ▶BY MOUTH ▶Child 1 month–3 years: 250 micrograms/kg once daily (max. per dose 5 mg), adjusted according to response, (on doctor’s advice only); dose to be taken at night ▶Child 4–10 years: 2.5–5 mg once daily, adjusted according to response, (on doctor’s advice only); dose to be taken at night ▶Child 11–17 years: 5–10 mg once daily, adjusted according to response, dose to be taken at night ▶Adult: 5–10 mg once daily, dose to be taken at night

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Pharmacokinetics

▶Onset of action 6–12 hours. l UNLICENSED USE Sodium picosulfate doses in BNF Publications adhere to national guidelines and may differ from those in product literature.

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Contra Indications

Intestinal obstruction. undiagnosed abdominal pain

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Safety

Interactions

→Appendix 1: sodium picosulfate

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Side Effects

▶Common or very common Diarrhoea. gastrointestinal discomfort ▶Uncommon Dizziness. nausea. vomiting ▶Frequency not known Angioedema. skin reactions. syncope SIDE-EFFECTS, FURTHER INFORMATION Prolonged or excessive use can cause diarrhoea and related effects such as hypokalaemia.

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Pregnancy

Manufacturer states evidence limited but not known to be harmful.

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Breast Feeding

g Specialist sources indicate suitable for use in breast-feeding in infants over 1 month—not known to be present in milk. k

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Dose and formulations

Medicinal Forms

There can be variation in the licensing of different medicines containing the same drug. Oral solution EXCIPIENTS: May contain Alcohol ▶Sodium picosulfate (Non-proprietary) Sodium picosulfate 1 mg per 1 ml Sodium picosulfate 5mg/5ml oral solution sugar free sugar-free | 100 ml p £2.69 sugar-free | 300 ml p £8.08 DT = £8.08 ▶Laxoberal (Sanofi) Sodium picosulfate 1 mg per 1 ml Dulcolax Pico 5mg/5ml liquid sugar-free | 100 ml p £1.94 sugar-free | 300 ml p £4.62 DT = £8.08 OPIOID RECEPTOR ANTAGONISTS

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Clinical care

Patient And Carer Advice

Medicines for Children leaflet: Sodium picosulfate for constipation www.medicinesforchildren.org.uk/sodium-picosulfate- constipation

PDF page 90

Dose text by age group

Child 1 month–3 years

2.5–10 mg once daily, adjusted

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 90

Child 4–17 years

2.5–20 mg once daily, adjusted

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 90

Child 1 month–3 years

250 micrograms/kg once daily

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 90

Child 4–10 years

2.5–5 mg once daily, adjusted

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 90

Child 11–17 years

5–10 mg once daily, adjusted

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 90

Age labels are extracted for navigation. Check the complete source section and current local guidance before clinical use.

Drug reference

Sodium picosulfate

BNF 80 (2020–2021)

Source: BNF 80 (2020–2021)
PDF pages: 90

Review source pages for extracted sections and age labels. BNF dose snippets show only their first line.

Overview

Drug Action

Sodium picosulfate is a stimulant laxative. After metabolism in the colon it stimulates the mucosa thereby increasing the motility of the large intestine.

PDF page 90

Indications And Dose

PDF page 90

Pharmacokinetics

▶Onset of action 6–12 hours. l UNLICENSED USE Sodium picosulfate doses in BNF Publications adhere to national guidelines and may differ from those in product literature.

PDF page 90

Contra Indications

Intestinal obstruction. undiagnosed abdominal pain

PDF page 90

Safety

Interactions

→Appendix 1: sodium picosulfate

PDF page 90

Side Effects

PDF page 90

Pregnancy

Manufacturer states evidence limited but not known to be harmful.

PDF page 90

Breast Feeding

g Specialist sources indicate suitable for use in breast-feeding in infants over 1 month—not known to be present in milk. k

PDF page 90

Dose and formulations

Medicinal Forms

PDF page 90

Clinical care

Patient And Carer Advice

Medicines for Children leaflet: Sodium picosulfate for constipation www.medicinesforchildren.org.uk/sodium-picosulfate- constipation

PDF page 90

Dose text by age group

Child 1 month–3 years

2.5–10 mg once daily, adjusted

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 90

Child 4–17 years

2.5–20 mg once daily, adjusted

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 90

Child 1 month–3 years

250 micrograms/kg once daily

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 90

Child 4–10 years

2.5–5 mg once daily, adjusted

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 90

Child 11–17 years

5–10 mg once daily, adjusted

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 90

Age labels are extracted for navigation. Check the complete source section and current local guidance before clinical use.