Movicol (Lemon & Lime)

What is Movicol and what is Movicol used for?

Movicol is a laxative that is used to treat constipation and extreme cases of constipation known as faecal impaction in children and adults over 12 years old.

Movicol contains the active ingredient macrogol 3350 which is an osmotic laxative. Osmotic laxatives work by forcing your poo to absorb more water, making them bigger, softer and easier to pass.

Is Movicol a laxative or a stool softener?

Movicol is a type of laxative known as an osmotic laxative which means that it works by rehydrating hard stools by making them absorb more water from inside the bowel and therefore softening the stool.

Other types of laxatives include:

• Stimulant laxatives-speed up your bowel movements by stimulating the nerves, for example, Senna and Dulcolax
• Bulk-forming laxatives-increase the size and weight of your stool to stimulate bowel movements, for example, Fybogel

For more information on laxatives and treatment options please see our Advice for Constipations page.

What is constipation?

If you are unable to have a poo as often as is normal for you its is likely that you are suffering from constipation. Constipation is a common problem, and most people will, at some point in their life experience it.

Often diet and lifestyle factors can contribute to constipation and by making small changes, constipation will be relieved without any need for medication. For more information on causes of constipation as well as diet and lifestyle suggestions, go to our Treatment Advice for Constipation page.

If you have tried making changes to your diet and lifestyle and you continue to be constipated, using a laxative such as Movicol could help, you may also want to discuss your treatment options with a pharmacist or doctor.

If you are constipated and experience the following you should speak to a doctor as soon as possible:

• You feel sick or are being sick
• You have blood in your stool
• You lose weight suddenly
• You are feeling bloated for long periods
• You are feeling more tired than is normal for you

How does Movicol work?

Movicol contains the active ingredient macrogol 3350 which is an osmotic laxative. Osmotic laxatives work by binding with water which is then absorbed into your stool. This process increases the water volume in your poo, softening it and making it bigger and easier to pass.

When making up your Movicol sachet it is important to make sure you are mixing the contents with 125ml of water per sachet. It is this water that is absorbed by your poo and therefore should not be included as part of your daily fluid intake. It is important to keep drinking lots of fluid while using Movicol to avoid becoming dehydrated.

Make sure to follow the instructions on how to use Movicol, detailed in the directions section on this page (link to this) and in the Patient Information Leaflet.

What is the best time of day to take Movicol?

Most people will need to start by taking more than 1 sachet a day to treat constipation. It is a good idea to spread out the doses taking them in the morning and at night. If you are taking 3 sachets a day you can also take one in the middle of the day.

If you are using Movicol to treat faecal impaction you should speak to a doctor before commencing treatment for your condition. You will need to take 8 sachets a day for 3 consecutive days. The 8 sachets a day all need to be consumed within 6 hours.

Movicol does not need to be taken at a particular time of day so you can fit your doses in around times that are convenient for you.

How long does Movicol take to work?

Movicol does not work as quickly as stimulant laxatives such as Senna which starts to work within 6-12 hours.

When taking Movicol as directed in the Patient Information Leaflet, most people will start to see an improvement in their constipation within 1-3 days.

How long does Movicol stay in your system?

Some people may experience diarrhoea when taking Movicol especially if you are on a large dose or have taken too much. If you experience diarrhoea you should stop taking Movicol or reduce the number of sachets you are taking until your poo returns to soft formed stools. This may take a few days.

If you experience diarrhoea you must drink plenty of fluids to avoid becoming dehydrated. If your diarrhoea persists or you are worried you should speak to a doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Movicol long-term use

For the treatment of constipation, Movicol is usually taken for 2 weeks or until stools are consistently soft and easy to pass.

If you continue to be affected by constipation after using Movicol for 14 consecutive days then you should speak to a doctor or pharmacist for advice.

In the same way as all laxatives, it is not advisable to use Movicol long-term. If you are suffering from persistent constipation however you may be advised to repeat your 2-week treatment or continue using Movicol but reduce your dose to 1 sachet per day.

Sources

• https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/macrogol/
• http://www.movicol.com.au/files/Movicol-DL-Patient-Leaflet-10pp.pdf
• https://patient.info/medicine/macrogols-for-constipation-or-bowel-cleansing
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/constipation/
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/laxatives/#:~:text=Osmotic laxatives draw water from,or 3 days to work.
• https://www.eric.org.uk/how-to-treat-constipation
• https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/laxatives-for-weight-loss#section7
• https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-weight/how-your-gp-can-help-you-lose-weight/
• Movicol Patient Information Leaflet: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/15033

Movicol warnings

For a full list of warnings and precautions associated with Movicol please read the Patient Information Leaflet.

• Do not take Movicol if you have, or have previously conditions affecting your bowels such as an obstruction or perforation or inflammatory bowel disease.
• Speak to a doctor or pharmacist before taking Movicol if you have a heart condition or are currently taking any other medication.
• You must make sure you drink plenty of fluids while taking Movicol to avoid becoming dehydrated. The water used to make up Movicol is not absorbed by your body so does not count as daily fluid intake.
• Each Movicol sachet contains 9.3% of an adult recommended daily allowance of Sodium (salt).

Movicol in pregnancy

Movicol is safe to take during pregnancy and while breastfeeding but you should speak to a doctor or pharmacist for advice before starting treatment.

Movicol dosage

Constipation:

• Dissolve 1 sachet of Movicol in 125ml of water up to 3 times a day depending on the severity of your constipation.

Faecal impaction:

• Before commencing treatment for faecal impaction you should speak to a doctor to confirm your condition.
• You will need to take 8 sachets over 6 hours, taking no more than 2 sachets in 1 hour, for up to 3 days.
• Dissolve each sachet in 125ml of water.

Full full details of how to use Movicol please ensure you have read the Patient Information Leaflet thoroughly.

Movicol can be used by children and adults over the age of 12 years to treat constipation and faecal impaction.

Each sachet must be made up of 125ml of water and drank. You must make sure to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day when taking Movicol to avoid dehydration.

Movicol for children

It is possible to get Movicol to treat constipation in children under 12 years old, however, this is only available on prescription. You must, therefore, speak to a doctor if you think your child is suffering from constipation.

Movicol Ingredients

Movicol comes in sachets of 13.8g in lemon and lime flavouring. Before using Movicol you must read the Patient Information Leaflet thoroughly.

Each 13.8g sachet contains:

• Macrogol 3350 13.125g
• Sodium Chloride 0.3507g
• Sodium Bicarbonate 0.1785g
• Potassium Chloride 0.0466g

Movicol side effects

For a full list of side effects associated with Movicol please read the Patient Information Leaflet.

If you are worried about any side effects or experience an allergic reaction when taking Movicol speak to a doctor straight away.

The most common side effects experienced when taking Movicol include:

• Stomach ache or indigestion
• Bloating
• Wind
• Diarrhoea

Reducing the daily dose of Movicol will usually reduce these side effects.

Movicol weight loss

Movicol should not cause you to lose weight. If you experience excessive diarrhoea as a side effect of taking Movicol you should stop your treatment. If your diarrhoea continues, speak to a doctor or pharmacist.

Movicol, as with other laxatives should not be taken as a way to lose weight as this can be damaging to your health. If you are concerned about your weight, want support to lose weight or are struggling to lose weight speak to a doctor for advice.