In the article, we consider the instructions for use and analogues for the drug “Forlax”.
The problem of constipation is very well known to most people. Some prefer to suffer in silence, while others, in order to normalize stool, turn to bowel lavage through enemas. Some go with their problem to qualified gastroenterologists, which is best. As a rule, a series of laboratory tests is prescribed by doctors, and then, based on the information received, medication is prescribed. Among the means aimed at improving intestinal motility, it is worth mentioning “Forlax”. This is one of the safe and effective drugs for problems of the digestive system, especially with functional constipation.
Analogs cheaper than Forlax are available. Forlax itself costs from 220 rubles. More on this below.
Indications
The main indications for the use of Forlax are constipation, characterized by an unsystematic nature. However, this drug can also be prescribed in cases of chronic constipation, especially for elderly patients who are not suitable for other types of laxative medicines for health reasons. Forlax can be prescribed for constipation, when the drug that causes stool retention (we are talking about antidepressants, narcotic analgesics, antiparkinsonian drugs) cannot be canceled.
Sometimes this drug is prescribed to patients in the postoperative period in order to normalize stool and prevent constipation. “Forlax” is also used as a laxative in preparation for endoscopic examinations of organs, in which intestinal overcrowding can cause an incorrect diagnosis. Given the fact that glucose and sugar alcohols are absent in the composition of this drug, Forlax is allowed to be taken by people who have a history of diabetes with lactose intolerance. Now find out what contraindications are.
Contraindications
The presented remedy is contraindicated in the following cases:
- Against the background of any acute inflammatory process in the digestive system.
- With peptic ulcer.
- In the presence of Crohn's disease.
- Against the background of perforation or a high probability of developing such in the intestinal walls.
- In case of suspected pathology of a gynecological or intestinal nature, requiring surgical intervention.
- Amid abdominal pain of unknown origin.
- In case of intestinal obstruction.
- In the presence of hypersensitivity to polyethylene glycol or other components.
- In childhood, up to eight years.
- In case of congenital intolerance to fructose.
Side effects
Most patients, as a rule, tolerate this drug quite easily. Only occasionally can unpleasant sensations appear in the intestines and stomach. When using large dosages of Forlax, bloating may occur along with diarrhea and vomiting. All these manifestations are transient, however, require a lower dosage of a laxative. Patients with excessive sensitivity to the basic active component of Forlax (ethylene glycol) can rarely develop allergic reactions in the form of pruritus, urticaria and Quincke's edema.
How to take the drug "Forlax"?
Means "Forlax" is taken exclusively in dissolved form. 10 grams of powder is diluted in 250 milliliters of room temperature water. In the event that a larger amount of the drug is used, a certain proportion should be adhered to: 250 milliliters of water will be required for every 10-gram sachet.
Upon contact with water, the powder swells, and the liquid itself becomes whitish. Thanks to the flavoring, the medicine has a pleasant taste, so it is drunk by children and adults without any difficulty. So that bowel movement occurs in the morning or during the next day, the drug is recommended to be taken immediately after sleep once or twice during the day (morning and evening).
Means for children
Analogs of the children's “Forlax” should be selected by the doctor.
The differences in dosage and frequency of administration between children and adults are that children are advised not to take this drug very often, but that treatment should be started with minimal doses, that is, with one sachet. It should also be remembered that children under eight years of age should not be given this drug due to lack of clinical information.
Children who are over eight years old are initially prescribed 10 grams of the drug per day. In the absence or incomplete bowel movement, the dosage is increased to 20 grams. A large amount of this powder should not be consumed, since side effects may develop in the form of bloating, vomiting, diarrhea, pain in the intestines and so on. Now we turn to a detailed consideration of the analogues of this tool.
Analogs of Forlax
The drug “Forlax” has several analogues at once (that is, synonyms) that have a similar mechanism of action, their composition includes ethylene glycol as the main component. The most famous analogues of the drug in question are: “Lavacol” along with “Macrogol”, “Osmogol”, “Transipeg”, “Realaxan”, “Fortrans” and “Forteza”.
Means "Lavacol"
Its price is about one hundred and fifty rubles. Lavacol is a Russian-made drug that is produced in a package of fifteen packages. Each bag contains the active component of macrogol. The bag is dissolved when using the drug in a glass of water. Immediately after taking a laxative effect. The main component in the digestive system is water molecules, due to which the volume of the intestinal contents increases, which leads to accelerated evacuation.
The water and electrolyte balance against this background is not disturbed. Medication, as a rule, is not absorbed in the digestive organs and does not enter into metabolic processes. This analogue is prescribed for the mild laxative effect immediately before surgery on the abdominal organs or before their examination. This remedy is contraindicated in case of perforation, intestinal ulcer, obstruction of this organ and severe heart failure.
Analog to "Normase"
The cost of this analogue of “Forlax” ranges from one hundred eighty to three hundred rubles. Syrup "Normase" is made by Italy, it is like "Forlax" intended to eliminate constipation at any age. Also, this drug is used to eliminate putrefactive dyspepsia syndrome, against the background of dysbiosis and encephalopathy. Thus, it is used to restore stool in patients with hemorrhoids immediately after surgery.
The composition of this analogue of “Forlax” has lactulose, which creates an acidic environment in the intestines and stops the growth of microbes. It is worth noting that under the influence of this analogue, the content of toxins in the blood decreases, intestinal motility is stimulated. The medicine should not be taken for those patients who suffer from chronic appendicitis, intestinal obstruction, or fructose intolerance.
It is quite possible to find an analogue cheaper than Forlax.
The tool "Portalac"
Prices for Portalac in pharmacies range from one hundred and fifty to five hundred rubles. This laxative analogue produces Croatia. The tool is based on lactulose like Dufalac, its effect is aimed at eliminating constipation. Like Forlax, this analogue stimulates intestinal motility. Due to the active component, this drug increases the number of lactobacilli that increase acidity in the intestine, thus providing a laxative effect.
This Forlax analogue stops growth with the development of salmonella and other organisms in the colon. The drug is not addictive and does not reduce the absorption of beneficial components, whether vitamins, minerals and the like. The drug is prescribed for chronic constipation, during pregnancy, against the background of hemorrhoids and in all cases that require softening of the stool. In the form of a side effect, flatulence is often observed in the early days, allergic reactions are likely. Rectal bleeding is a contraindication to the use of the drug.
Analogue "Dufalac"
The price of this analogue of “Forlax” for children and adults in a pharmacy ranges from two hundred to one thousand rubles. The drug "Dufalac" in the form of a syrup is produced in the Netherlands. It is intended to treat constipation like Forlax, but it acts more measuredly, and therefore it is not prescribed immediately before an x-ray of the digestive organs. The active component in the composition is lactulose. This substance has an effect on the increase in the number of lactobacilli.
This property allows you to stimulate intestinal motility, increasing its contents and acting hyperosmotically. The medicine is not absorbed in the stomach, but directly in the large intestine it is split by the natural microflora. This drug is indicated for chronic constipation and is suitable for softening feces. It is also used in the presence of hepatic coma, against the background of dysbiosis caused by some organisms. Flatulence is often seen in the form of an adverse reaction, especially at the beginning of the intake, which then passes, nausea with diarrhea is also likely.
This is confirmed by the instructions for the analogue of “Forlax”.
Forlax or Dufalac?
An analogue of “Forlax”, the drug “Dufalac” has absolutely the same indications, but it is also used in the complex therapy of hepatic encephalopathy and precoma because it is able to stimulate sour-milk bacteria. The main difference between Forlax and Dufalac is that the latter can be prescribed to children already from infancy. It is also prescribed for pregnant women.
In addition, the product "Dufalac" contains lactulose, which positively affects the intestinal microflora, in particular, this component inhibits the growth of salmonella, reducing the periods of bacteriocarrier. According to the principle of exposure and the duration of the laxative effect, both drugs are completely identical.
What other analogues of Forlax can be found in pharmacies?
Analog "Fortrans"
The cost of this analogue is from three hundred to six hundred and fifty rubles. The drug "Fortrans" French production. Similarly, “Forlax” is prescribed for painless bowel movement. In addition to the active ingredient, potassium and sodium chloride are included. The effect of this drug is based on the osmotic property. Due to the presence of electrolytes in the medicine after cleansing, there is no violation of the water and electrolyte balance, as after the procedure with an ordinary enema.
This analogue of the laxative "Forlax" is not absorbed in the stomach, excreted in unchanged form with feces. This powder is prescribed before the procedure of irrigoscopy, endoscopy, x-ray of the abdominal organs and so on. You can not use this tool in the presence of a malignant tumor, and, in addition, before the age of fifteen.
We talked about taxes. Forlax receives quite a lot of reviews. Let's consider them in more detail.
Reviews about the drug of doctors and patients
Women write in reviews that they use this remedy after childbirth, when problems arise with independent stool. It is noted that in this case, the stool appears in patients after about a day, perhaps a little more, but it is always soft. And after a week, the chair completely returns to normal and a person can continue to go to the toilet on their own without the help of this drug. Thus, in their reviews, many patients write that they are very satisfied with the effect of Forlax, and every time they have such problems, they only accept it.
It should be said that the opinions of doctors about the effects and safety of this medicine are largely similar to the reviews of patients. Moreover, many doctors confidently use this drug to treat functional constipation among pregnant women, while the dosage is selected individually each time. In addition, there is a positive trend in the treatment of constipation in elderly patients who, due to age and accumulated pathologies, cannot lead an active life and drink one and a half or more liters of fluid per day.
We examined analogues and reviews for the drug “Forlax”.