Do you know how to take the drug "Picolax"? Instructions for using this medication will be described later. We will also tell you what forms of release this medicine has, what is included in its composition, for what purposes it is prescribed, whether it has adverse reactions and contraindications.
Composition, packaging of the drug and its form
Currently, the drug "Picolax" (instructions are presented below) is available in two different forms:
- Drops for oral administration. A 0.75% solution contains an active element such as sodium picosulfate. The medication also includes additional ingredients in the form of sorbitol, hydrochloric acid, purified water and sodium methylhydroxybenzoate. This form of medicine goes on sale in bottles of 15 or 30 ml.
- Tablets for oral administration. The active substance of the drug is also sodium picosulfate in terms of 100% anhydrous substance. In addition, the medication also contains such auxiliary elements as lactose monohydrate, pregelatinized starch and corn starch, anhydrous colloidal silicon dioxide and magnesium stearate. The considered form of the drug is available in blisters packaged in a cardboard box.
The principle of action of the drug
What is the medicine "Pikolaks"? Instructions for use states that it is a laxative. When the drug gets inside its active substance (sodium picosulfate) contributes to a beneficial effect on the large intestine. Under the influence of the bacterial flora, the medication breaks down, resulting in the formation of such an active form as free diphenol. After this, stimulation of the nerve endings of the intestinal mucosa occurs, which significantly enhances its motility.
Reception of drops and tablets does not lead to spasms and intestinal tenesmus. The laxative effect is manifested after 6-12 hours.
With treated infants, a lack of efficacy of the drug was noted. This is due to the fact that newborn babies have a small amount of bacterial flora that produces sulfatase.
Indications for use
Why use the Pikolaks medication? The instruction (drops and tablets should be taken strictly according to the indications) states that this drug must be used in the following conditions:
- atonic constipation, which is caused by a change in nutrition, the general severe condition of the patient, prolonged immobilization, metabolic disorders, fever and diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- preparation for gynecological and surgical operations, as well as other instrumental studies.
For what other purposes can Pikolaks medication be prescribed? Instructions, reviews of specialists inform patients that the drug in question can be used to adjust the stool for cracks in the anus and hemorrhoids.
Contraindications
Does the drug "Pikolaks" have contraindications? Instructions for use indicate the following prohibitions of the medication in any form:
- vomiting, obstructive bowel obstruction, nausea, abdominal pain of unknown origin and complicated by dehydration;
- increased individual sensitivity of the person to the drug;
- acute surgical pathologies of the abdominal organs, as well as the period after gastrointestinal surgery;
- lactation, pregnancy.
What other contraindications does the drug “Pikolaks” (drops) have? Instructions for use say that this form of the drug is not recommended for people with fructose intolerance. As for the tablets, they are contraindicated in lactase deficiency, malabsorption of glucose galactose and galactosemia. It should also be noted that this form is not recommended for children under 10 years of age.
Extreme caution is required in the treatment of people who suffer from hypokalemia and hypermagnesemia, as well as elderly patients.
The drug "Picolax": instruction
Drops "Pikolaks" should be taken only in the evening. Children should add the drug to food. To select a more accurate dose, you must use a special dispenser on the bottle.
The duration of therapy and the dosage of the drug for young children should be established only by a pediatrician, taking into account all the individual characteristics of the patient. As a rule, babies aged 4 to 10 years are assigned an average daily dose of the drug, equal to 7-13 drops.
When treating a child under 4 years old, the dosage is calculated according to a special formula: 250 μg of the drug per kg of the patient’s total body weight, that is, 2 drops of the drug for every 3 kg of the baby’s weight. Multiplicity of admission is once a day.
For adults and adolescents from 10 years of age, the medication is prescribed in an amount of 13-25 drops.
For cancer patients receiving opioid analgesic therapy, the dose should be calculated by the attending physician. It is not recommended to take drops for more than 3 days in a row.
How should I use another form of Picolax? The instruction (tablets are prescribed for people from 10 years old) says that it must be swallowed whole, washed down with plain water.
The medication is prescribed in the morning or evening. The duration of therapy, as well as the dosage of tablets, should be established only by the attending person, taking into account all the features of the patient.
For adults and adolescents from 10 years of age, one tablet is prescribed per day. If necessary, the dose is increased to 2 pieces per day. The course of treatment should last no longer than 10 days in a row.
Drug overdose
What symptoms are manifested when taking the drug "Picolax"? Tablets (instructions for the use of this form were presented above), as well as oral drops, must be used at the dosages recommended by the doctor. When taking high doses, patients may develop diarrhea, abdominal pain, decreased potassium levels in the blood, and other disturbances in the water-electrolyte balance. In addition, ischemia of the large intestine mucosa is not excluded.
When using high doses of the drug for a long time, patients may experience intestinal colic, chronic diarrhea, impaired renal function, hypokalemia, secondary hyperaldosteronism, metabolic acidosis and urolithiasis. In such cases, the victim is prescribed gastric lavage, give enterosorbent tablets, and symptomatic treatment is performed.
Side effects
Does the drug "Pikolaks" (drops) have adverse reactions? Instructions for use states that this tool is well tolerated by all patients. However, the occurrence of such side effects as diarrhea, indigestion, intestinal colic, vomiting, flatulence, nausea and pain in the anus should not be ruled out.
In addition to the above, the medication in question can cause headaches, cramps, sleep problems, tremors, severe fatigue, allergic reactions, and more.
What else can you expect from the Pikolaks medication? The instruction indicates that prolonged use of this medication contributes to addiction, as well as the development of constipation. In order to avoid such deviations, the medication should be taken shortly or once.
Price and analogues
How much is the drug "Picolax" (tablets)? Instructions for use do not answer the question. You can find out the price only in the pharmacy network. You can buy such a medicine for 50-60 rubles. As for the drug in the form of drops, they are a little more expensive (about 150 rubles).
What can replace this medication with? The most popular drugs with a similar effect are the following: Guttalax, castor oil, Bisacodyl, Senade.
Reviews about the drug
Now you know how to use the drug "Picolax". Instructions for its use are indicated above.
This medication is very popular among people of various age groups. It is successfully used in the treatment of constipation. Many people note the high effectiveness of the drug. According to them, Pikolaks drops and tablets can gently empty the intestines in a short period of time.
It should also be noted that very often this medicine is used by patients who suffer from chronic digestive disorders. Unfortunately, they almost always experiment with the dosage, and also introduce additional drugs. As a result of this treatment, patients often develop adverse reactions (for example, diarrhea). In this regard, experts recommend abandoning self-medication and consult an experienced doctor.