Laxatives are often used in medicine. They correct stool, help cleanse the intestines on time. Some medications even contribute to weight loss. Also, drugs are prescribed to prepare the patient for various diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Today's article will introduce you to the drug "Pikoprep." Reviews about him are very diverse. You will learn more about them later. It is also worth considering the information about the medicine, which is presented to the consumer by the instructions for use.
What kind of medicine is this?
What are the "Pikoprep" reviews, you can find out more. First you need to read the instructions that came with this tool. The medication is a laxative powder. Its active ingredient is sodium picosulfate. The package contains two sachets of 16.1 grams. The price for such a Pikoprep product is approximately 800 rubles.
As additional components, the manufacturer uses sodium saccharin, potassium bicarbonate, lactose, ascorbic acid, orange flavor, butylhydroxyanisole. In addition to sodium picosulfate, the medication includes magnesium oxide and citric acid.
What is Pikoprep used for?
Reviews about the drug say that it is often prescribed to prepare for various kinds of interventions. Less commonly, medication is used to regulate digestion and normalize stool. If you read the instructions, you can find out about the testimony. Among them, the following situations are described:
- preparation for surgical intervention in the abdominal cavity;
- prevention of constipation before diagnostic and treatment procedures in the intestine.
If preparing for a colonoscopy, Pikoprep has the advantage. This drug allows you to quickly cleanse the intestines of feces and facilitate diagnostic manipulation. In addition, the use of a laxative improves the review, which, in turn, gives a more accurate study result.
Contraindications
About the powder "Pikoprep" instructions for use informs that it is forbidden to use for individual intolerance to the components. Laxative is contraindicated in the following cases:
- congestive or acute heart failure;
- gastric ulcer, its perforation;
- internal bleeding of any nature;
- colitis or intestinal obstruction;
- appendicitis or other acute diseases requiring emergency surgery;
- renal failure;
- child's age up to 1 year.
Use of medication: scheme
If "Pikoprep" is assigned to you, how to take it correctly? Given the high cost, the powder for the preparation of the solution must be diluted carefully and strictly according to the instructions. Otherwise, you will have to buy this expensive medicine again.
The annotation states that one package of the drug must be diluted with water in a volume of 150-200 milliliters. Stir the solution thoroughly until a uniform consistency is obtained. Drink the medicine. The dosage of laxative depends on the age of the patient. The instructions have the following recommendations:
- children 1-2 years old at 0.25 packets in the morning and afternoon;
- from 2 to 4 years - half a packet in the morning and during the day;
- at 4-9 years old, use 1 packet in the morning and 0.5 in the afternoon;
- Children from 9 years old and adult patients take 1 packet a day before the procedure (in the evening) and after 8 hours (in the morning).
It is necessary to drink as much fluid as possible together with the use of the drug "Pikoprep". When the medicine begins to act, frequent stools occur. Often, it acquires a liquid consistency and resembles diarrhea. To make up for the lack of water, you need to drink. Sometimes the patient is additionally prescribed rehydration therapy. Keep in mind that the finished solution is not subject to storage.
Pregnancy: is it possible?
About the tool "Pikoprep" reviews and recommendations of doctors say that it can not be used during pregnancy. The instructions indicate that a laxative is prohibited in the first trimester. In the second, it is not prescribed due to the lack of clinical data on such therapy.
Despite this, some expectant mothers use the medicine in the later stages. For what purpose? As you already know, the medication has a pronounced laxative effect. In addition, it removes fluid from the body. Expectant mothers, waiting for the baby to appear, with the help of this tool bring the onset of labor closer and get rid of edema. The fact is that after using the powder, intestinal motility increases . This provokes a tone of the uterus. The reproductive organ begins to contract, resulting in contractions. Doctors remind that such actions can be quite dangerous. Therefore, you should not resort to such manipulations. The consequences are deplorable!
Additional drug information you need to familiarize yourself with
What information does the annotation provide to the consumer? It indicates the following features of the medication:
- With caution, combine the powder with drugs that affect the electrolyte balance (other laxatives, corticosteroids, diuretics).
- With insufficient fluid intake, a medication can lead to a deficiency and cause dehydration.
- Do not use the medicine for more than 24 hours in a row.
- Caution must be observed for people with diabetes and lactose intolerance.
- It can be used during lactation, as sodium picosulfate does not pass into breast milk.
- During therapy, you need to refrain from driving and performing important work.
- Use carefully in conjunction with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Adverse Opinion Negative Opinion
The main disadvantage is the cost of the drug "Pikoprep." The price is very high. All consumers speak about it. To cleanse the intestines, you have to pay almost a thousand rubles.
Negative opinions arise about the drug and due to the development of side effects. Among them are allergies, nausea, vomiting, headache, epilepsy. With improper use, dehydration and a deficiency of nutrients occur, the level of BJU is disturbed. An unpleasant moment of treatment is diarrhea. But this reaction is normal and quite expected.
How to replace a laxative?
The active substance of the drug is sodium picosulfate. Based on this component, many digestive corrective drugs have been created. Among them are “Guttalax”, “Guttasil”, “Regulax”, “Laxigal”, “Weakness” and others. All these drugs are distinguished from the described cost and dosage. Substitutes of the drug "Pikoprep" (absolute analogues) can be used for a long time without harming health.
If we talk about the means that are taken to effectively cleanse the intestines before various manipulations, then we can distinguish “Fortrans” and “Forlax”. The price of these laxatives varies greatly. Also note that Fortrans is only used after 15 years. Forlax medication, the price of which is not more than 200 rubles for 10 packets, has been prescribed since 8 years. The active substance of both analogues is macrogol-4000.
Pikoprep or Fortrans: which is better?
Many consumers compare these drugs. The purpose of both means is to cleanse the intestines and prepare its cavity for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. In the price of medicines, they have no special difference. If Pikoprep costs about 800 rubles, then Fortrans will cost you 700 rubles.
Fortrans is accepted in a larger volume. If the powder "Pikoprep" is diluted in the volume of one glass of water, then its analogue requires a liter of liquid. The dose of the drug is calculated in accordance with age and body weight. An adult needs one liter of solution for every 15-20 kilograms. An average of 4 liters is required. This is quite a lot. Note that one package of Fortrans contains just 4 sachets. Consumers note that it is quite difficult to drink 4 liters of this product and at the same time drink more liquid. In addition, this substitute is contraindicated in malignant neoplasms in the intestine.
To prepare for surgery, the doctor may recommend the drug "Pikoprep" or "Fortrans" to choose the patient. Which is better - everyone decides for himself. Some consumers want to save at least a little, but at the same time they get the inconvenience of using Fortrans. Others buy more expensive drug "Pikoprep" and comfortably take it. When it comes to preparing a child for an intervention, the choice is always given to a sodium picosulfate-based agent.
Reviews about the drug
Opinions about the tool "Pikoprep" are mostly positive or neutral. What consumers are dissatisfied with is described above. Most patients like it. It is pleasant to use it. It is also not difficult to give medication to the child (if necessary). Doctors say that preparing children for manipulation with this medication should be carried out exclusively within the walls of the hospital. The same condition applies to elderly patients.
Consumers say that after using the drug, the maximum effect occurs in about a day. Therefore, you need to use it a day or two before the procedure. It is also recommended that you switch to a diet in a few days. Avoid foods that increase gas production. Exclude sugary, fatty, alcohol and bakery products. Doctors do not recommend taking the powder on their own, without the need. If you have problems with stool, then you need to solve them with the help of other drugs. The drug "Pikoprep" is not suitable for regular use.
Finally
To summarize, we can note: the tool "Pikoprep" is expensive, but effective. It rarely causes adverse reactions and is acceptable for use in children. Often it is replaced with the popular Fortrans powder. This drug acts in the same way: cleanses the intestines. But its disadvantage is the inconvenient use and the inability to use in small patients. All analogues of the drug "Pikoprep", if necessary, should be selected together with a specialist. Do not self-medicate, especially when it comes to preparing for surgery. Have a good health!