What is Guttasil medicinal product intended for? Instructions for use, reviews of the drug will be described below. You will also learn about in what form the drug in question is released, what substances it contains, whether there are contraindications for this drug and side effects.
The form of the drug, its packaging and composition
In what form is the medicine "Guttasil" issued? Reviews about the drug say that it can be purchased in the form of drops for oral administration. The active component of this tool is sodium picosulfate monohydrate. As for the auxiliary elements, they include sorbitol, a solution of hydrochloric acid, sodium methyl parahydroxybenzoate and water for injection.
What packaging does Guttasil (drops) have? Reviews of those who have repeatedly had to use this drug indicate that this product is sold in a plastic bottle with a special dispenser, sealed with a cap with a seal (first opening control). The drug is placed in a bright cardboard box. The container may contain 15, 30 and 7.5 ml of the drug.
Description of the drug
Guttasil medication, reviews of which will be described later, is a clear and colorless liquid. Sometimes this remedy has a light yellow tint.
Pharmacological characteristics
What is Guttasil? Reviews about this medicine are mixed. As for the attached instructions, according to it, this medication is a laxative.
The principle of its action is that the main substance, getting inside the body, begins to be activated in the large intestine. This happens under the influence of bacterial sulfatases. Elements that are released during this process stimulate the sensitive nerve endings of the intestine, thereby enhancing organ motility.
It should be especially noted that the use of the drug in question is not accompanied by spasms and tenesmus of the intestine. Therefore, it can be used without fear of undesirable consequences.
Pharmacokinetics of the drug
Is the laxative Guttasil absorbed? Reviews of specialists contain information that after ingestion, the drug reaches the intestine (thick) without absorption. In it, under the influence of the bacterial flora, the drug is cleaved, resulting in the formation of the active form of bis- (p-hydroxyphenyl) -pyridyl-2-methane.
How quickly does the laxative effect develop after taking the Guttasil medication? The composition of this drug is such that the patient senses its effect after 7-12 hours. At the same time, I want to note that the severity of the laxative effect is not interconnected with the level of bis- (p-hydroxyphenyl) -pyridyl-2-methane in the blood.
It is impossible not to say that the agent “Guttasil” is not subjected to enterohepatic recirculation.
Indications for use
What is Guttasil medicinal product intended for? The use of this medication is indicated for chronic constipation, which is due to sluggish motility of the colon, as well as hypotension.
In addition, the drug in question can be prescribed by a doctor in order to adjust the stool with proctitis, hemorrhoids or anal fissures. Often, this drug is used as a preparation for surgical intervention, as well as radiological and instrumental studies.
Contraindications laxative medication
In what cases is it forbidden to prescribe Guttasil medication to a patient? Reviews of experts say that such a drug can not be used for intestinal obstruction, peritonitis, strangulated hernia, acute appendicitis and ulcerative colitis. Also, the medication is contraindicated for bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract, acute abdominal pain of unknown origin accompanied by nausea and vomiting, as well as for uterine bleeding, cystitis, spastic constipation, as well as in children under 4 years of age and in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Among other things, the drug in question is not recommended for severe dehydration and hypersensitivity to sodium picosulfate and other components of this drug.
Careful reception of a laxative
In what cases is Guttasil prescribed with caution? Analogues of the drug in question and the medication itself should be taken under the supervision of a doctor in old age, as well as with hypokalemia, an increased content of magnesium in the blood, the presence of asthenia, in the 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy.
Prescribing during lactation and during pregnancy
The safety of using the drug in question during pregnancy, as well as during the period of breastfeeding, has not been fully studied. However, experts say that in the 1st trimester this medication is contraindicated. As for the 2nd and 3rd, at this time, medication is possible only if the benefit to the mother significantly exceeds the risk of intrauterine disturbances in the development of the fetus.
It should also be noted that the active component of the drops (sodium picosulfate) is not able to be excreted together with breast milk. However, if it is necessary to use the Guttasil medication during lactation, the lactation should be stopped immediately.
Dosage of the drug and method of its use
How to use Guttasil drops correctly? According to the instructions, this medication should be taken only inside. Moreover, it is recommended to do this at night. It is this technique that will clear the intestines the next morning.
The drug "Guttasil" is dosed with a special dispenser manufacturer. Its volume should be determined according to the age of the patient. For example, adults and children over 10 years of age are prescribed 14–28 drops or 5–10 mg. Children from 4 to 10 years old should be given approximately 8-14 drops (or 2.5-5 mg).
As for babies up to 4 years old, then taking the drug is contraindicated for them. Although in some cases, pediatricians still prescribe it. For this, the dose is calculated based on the body weight of the child - 250 mcg per 1 kg (that is, 2 drops per 3 kg).
As a rule, a drug is added to food for children. For them, a single dose of the medication is considered effective. If necessary, the course of therapy in a child can be increased. However, it is preferable to limit it to only three days.
To eliminate constipation in cancer patients who receive large doses of opioids, you should consult your doctor. Self-medication in such cases is prohibited.
Drug overdose
With improper and uncontrolled medication, the patient may develop such signs of an overdose: liquid bowel movements, significant disturbances in water-electrolyte balance, abdominal cramps and colic, hypokalemia, fluid loss, and ischemia of the large intestine.
It cannot be said that a prolonged overdose can lead to the development of severe abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea, secondary hyperaldosteronism, metabolic alkalosis, kidney damage, nephrolithiasis, and muscle weakness.
How to treat this condition? First of all, the patient needs to rinse the stomach. Then he is prescribed intake of enterosorbents (for example, activated charcoal), and he also undergoes symptomatic therapy (corrects the water-electrolyte balance, prescribes antispasmodics, etc.).
Side effects after taking the medication
According to the opinions of doctors and patients, with short-term use of the drug, side effects are extremely rare. With prolonged use of the drug in high dosages, violations are possible, which are listed below:
- Skin: rash, itching and urticaria.
- Water-electrolyte balance: loss of sodium, potassium and other electrolytes. The development of dehydration is also possible.
- Digestive tract: vomiting, dyspeptic symptoms, diarrhea, nausea, pain in the stomach, abdominal cramps, increased intestinal motility, flatulence, pain in the anus. As a rule, the listed side effects disappear immediately after stopping the medication.
- Immune system: allergic reactions, as well as angioedema.
- Nervous system: fatigue, headaches, drowsiness, and cramps.
Interaction with other means
The electrolyte imbalance that occurred while taking the drug in question can easily lead to a decrease in the body's tolerance to cardiac glycosides.
GCS, as well as diuretics, increase the severity of hypokalemia, which is caused by the use of Guttasil in high dosages.
Concomitant antibiotic therapy can reduce the laxative effect of the drug.
Special instructions for taking a laxative drug
Like other drugs designed to accelerate intestinal motility, the drug "Guttasil" is not recommended to be taken every day and for a long time.
If you need a daily intake of the medication in question, then you should find out the true cause of constipation. Long-term use of laxatives often leads to electrolyte imbalance, as well as hypokalemia. In addition, such a drug intake can become addictive. Subsequently, the patient will experience severe constipation (rebound effect).
This medication normalizes stool in patients with cancer who receive large doses of opioids. But in this case, the drug should be prescribed only by the attending physician.
Laxative "Guttasil" contains sorbitol. In this regard, people with hereditary fructose intolerance are not allowed to use it.
Analogues of the drug
What can replace the drug "Guttasil"? Analogues of this laxative are available in every pharmacy. Among them, the following medications can be distinguished: Laxigal, Guttalax, Slabicap, Laxigal-Teva, Picosulfate-AKOS, Sodium picosulfate, Regulax Picosulfate, Slabilen and others.
Drug Reviews
Now you know what Guttasil is. The composition (reviews of it we will consider right now) of this drug is such that it has a good effect on intestinal motility, releasing all its contents.
According to patient reviews, the considered laxative drops quite effectively eliminate even very strong constipation. In this case, there is no discomfort in the form of cramping and abdominal pain. However, it should be noted that there is such a category of people who claim that this medication causes a fairly large number of side effects (see above). Often this is due to improper administration of the drug. Therefore, before using laxative drops, you should consult your doctor and read the attached instructions.