Patient Information Leaflet - Text
MOVICOL-Half® 6.9g sachet, powder for oral solution
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine
- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- This medicine has been prescribed for you. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
- If any of the side effects become serious, or you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
If you need the information on this leaflet in an alternative format, such as large text, or Braille please ring from the UK: 0800 198 5000.
In this leaflet:
- 1. What is MOVICOL-Half and what is it used for?
- 2. Before you take MOVICOL-Half
- 3. How to take MOVICOL-Half
- 4. Possible side effects
- 5. Storing MOVICOL-Half
- 6. Further Information
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1. What is MOVICOL-Half and what is it used for?
The name of this medicine is MOVICOL-Half 6.9g sachet, powder for oral solution. It is a laxative for the treatment of constipation in adults, adolescents and the elderly. It is not recommended for children below 12 years of age.
MOVICOL-Half helps you to have a comfortable bowel movement even if you have been constipated for a long time. MOVICOL-Half also works in very bad constipation called faecal impaction.
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2. Before you take MOVICOL-Half
Do not take MOVICOL-Half if your doctor has told you that you have:
- a blockage in your intestine (gut obstruction, ileus)
- a perforated gut wall
- severe inflammatory bowel disease like ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease or toxic megacolon
- an allergy to any of the ingredients
Heart conditions
Follow the special instructions in section 3 if you are taking MOVICOL-Half for faecal impaction
Pregnancy and breast feeding
If you are pregnant or breast feeding talk to your doctor before taking MOVICOL-Half.
Always ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
Driving and using machines
MOVICOL-Half does not usually affect your ability to drive or use machines.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor about any other medicines you may be taking.
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3. How to take MOVICOL-Half
This medicine can be taken at any time of day with or without food or drink.
Chronic Constipation:
A dose of MOVICOL-Half is 2 sachets.
Take this 1 –3 times a day according to the severity of your constipation.
Faecal impaction:
A dose of 16 sachets a day of MOVICOL-Half is needed for the treatment of faecal impaction. The 16 sachets should be taken within 6 hours for up to 3 days if required.
If you have a heart condition do not take more than 4 sachets in any one hour.
MOVICOL 13.8g sachet is a more convenient product to use for treating faecal impaction.
How to mix
Open the sachet and pour the contents into a glass. Add a quarter glass (about 62.5ml) of water to the glass. Stir well until all the powder has dissolved and the MOVICOL-Half solution is clear or slightly hazy, then drink it. If you like you can add a flavour such as orange squash to the drink.
Duration of treatment:
Chronic Constipation:
Treatment with MOVICOL-Half usually lasts for about 2 weeks. If your constipation is caused by an illness such as Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis (MS), or if you take medicines that cause constipation your doctor may recommend that you take MOVICOL-Half for longer than 2 weeks.
Usually for long term treatment that dose can be lowered to either 2 or 4 sachets a day.
Faecal impaction:
Treatment with MOVICOL-Half can be for up to 3 days.
If you take more MOVICOL-Half than you should:
You may develop diarrhoea. Stop taking MOVICOL-Half until it clears, and then start again at a lower dose. If you are worried contact your doctor or pharmacist.
If you forget to take MOVICOL-Half:
Take the dose as soon as you remember to take it.
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4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, MOVICOL-Half can have side effects.
If you feel weak, breathless, very thirsty with a headache or get puffy ankles stop taking MOVICOL-Half and tell your doctor immediately.
Sometimes people have stomach ache or rumbles, or an allergic reaction, or feel bloated or sick. You may have mild diarrhoea when starting to take MOVICOL-Half.
If any of the above are troublesome or last more than a few days or if you notice any side effects not mentioned in this leaflet, please inform your doctor or pharmacist.
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5. Storing MOVICOL-Half
Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children
Do not use MOVICOL-Half after the expiry date on the sachet.
Do not store above 25°C.
Once you have made up MOVICOL-Half in water, if you cannot drink it straight away keep it covered and in the fridge (2 – 8°C). Throw away any solution not used within a 6 hour period.
Medicines should not be disposed via wastewater or house-hold waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
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6. Further Information
Each 6.9g sachet of MOVICOL-Half contains the following:
| Macrogol 3350 |
6.563 g |
| Sodium Chloride |
0.1754 g |
| Sodium Bicarbonate |
0.0893 g |
| Potassium Chloride |
0.0233 g |
When it is made into a drink with 62.5 millilitres of water, each sachet gives the equivalent of:
| Sodium |
65 millimoles/litre |
| Chloride |
53 millimoles/litre |
| Potassium |
5.4 millimoles/litre |
| Bicarbonate |
17 millimoles/litre |
MOVICOL-Half also contains lime and lemon flavour, and acesulfame potassium as a sweetener.
MOVICOL-Half is available in boxes of 8, 20, 30 or 100 sachets.
Marketing authorisation holder:
Norgine Ltd
Moorhall Rd
Harefield
Middx
UB9 6NS
U.K.
Manufacturer:
Norgine Ltd
New Road
Hengoed
Mid Glamorgan
CF82 8SJ
U.K.
UK Marketing Authorisation Number: PL 00322/0080
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The leaflet was last approved in May 2008.