Sodium Picosulfate
About Sodium Picosulfate
Sodium Picosulfate is used to treat constipation associated with piles, anal fissures, hernia, bowel clearance before radioscopy, pre/post-operative conditions, elderly and bed-ridden patients. Constipation refers to infrequent bowel movements, characterised by stools that are often dry, painful, and difficult to pass.
Sodium Picosulfate contains Sodium Picosulfate that prevents the absorption of water in the colon/intestine, thereby stimulating the propulsive (pushing forward) activity, which in turn promotes the accumulation of water, providing that stool can pass with ease. Thus, it relieves constipation.
You may experience certain common side effects such as diarrhoea, abdominal discomfort, pain, or cramps in some cases. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention. However, talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Sodium Picosulfate for as long as your doctor has prescribed. Drink plenty of fluids (at least 6-8 glasses) while taking Sodium Picosulfate to prevent dehydration. Consult your doctor before taking Sodium Picosulfate if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Sodium Picosulfate should not be given to children as safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Uses of Sodium Picosulfate
• Relief of Constipation: Sodium Picosulfate is used for short-term treatment of occasional constipation associated with various conditions, such as haemorrhoids (piles), anal fissures, hernia, cardiovascular disorders, pre/post-operative conditions, and in elderly or bed-ridden patients.
• Bowel Cleansing Before Procedures: Sodium Picosulfate is used to cleanse the bowel before diagnostic or surgical procedures, including colonoscopy, laparoscopy, childbirth, and radiological investigations.
Medicinal Benefits
- Facilitates smoother bowel motions and helps soften faeces.
- When used as directed, it increases stool frequency and relieves chronic constipation without causing dependence.
- Serves as a prebiotic as well, encouraging beneficial gut flora that aid in smooth digestion.
- Compared to stimulant laxatives, it usually causes less discomfort and is kinder to the stomach.
Directions for Use
- Sodium Picosulfate can be taken with or without food.
- It is usually taken once daily at bedtime or prescribed by your doctor.
- Swallow Sodium Picosulfate as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not chew, crush, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Sodium Picosulfate
- Diarrhoea
- Abdominal discomfort, pain, or cramps
Medicines Containing this Salt
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Drug Warnings
- Do not take Sodium Picosulfate if you are allergic to any of its contents or if you have/had or have acute abdominal surgeries (appendicitis), inflammatory bowel disease, bowel obstruction, gastrointestinal perforation or ulceration, severe dehydration, undiagnosed rectal bleeding, acute liver failure, or severe abdominal pain with vomiting and nausea.
- Drink plenty of fluids (at least 6-8 glasses) while taking Sodium Picosulfate.
- Do not take Sodium Picosulfate for more than a week, as it might cause dependency on Sodium Picosulfate for a bowel movement.
- Talk to your doctor if you notice any sudden changes in bowel habits that persist for over 2 weeks.
- Consult your doctor before taking Sodium Picosulfate if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Sodium Picosulfate should not be given to children under 10 years, as its safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Taking Sodium Picosulfate with the following medication classes may cause adverse reactions.
Antibiotic (neomycin)
• Potential effect: May reduce the effectiveness of Sodium Picosulfate.
Water pills (furosemide)
• Potential effect: May cause dehydration and increase low potassium levels.
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found/established.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have a history of the following conditions before taking Sodium Picosulfate, as it may worsen your condition or cause complications.
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Intestinal obstruction disorder
- Appendicitis
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
consult your doctorIt is not known if alcohol interacts with Sodium Picosulfate. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorPlease consult your doctor before taking Sodium Picosulfate if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Your doctor will prescribe you Sodium Picosulfate if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorConsult your doctor before taking Sodium Picosulfate if you are breastfeeding. Your doctor will decide if Sodium Picosulfate can be taken by breastfeeding mothers or not.
Driving
safe if prescribedSodium Picosulfate has negligible influence on your ability to drive.
Liver
consult your doctorPlease inform your doctor before taking Sodium Picosulfate if you have liver impairment/liver disease. Sodium Picosulfate may not be recommended in case of acute liver failure.
Kidney
consult your doctorPlease inform your doctor before taking Sodium Picosulfate if you have kidney impairment/kidney disease.
Children
unsafeSodium Picosulfate should not be given to children under 10 years old, as its safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
Diet
- Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and pulses in your meals. These add bulk to your stool and help it move more easily through your intestines.
- Aim to drink at least 6–8 glasses of water per day. Staying well-hydrated helps keep stools soft and easier to pass.
- Cut back on foods like white bread, cheese, fast food, and snacks that lack fibre and can slow digestion.
Lifestyle changes
- Engaging in daily movement, such as walking, stretching, or light exercise, helps keep your intestines active and supports regular bowel movements.
- Try going to the toilet at the same time every day, especially after meals. This helps train your body to have regular bowel movements.
- When you feel the need to have a bowel movement, don’t delay. Waiting can lead to harder, drier stools.
- When sitting on the toilet, place your feet on a small stool to raise your knees. This position can help you pass stool naturally.
- High stress and inadequate sleep can impact your digestion. Try deep breathing, meditation, or other calming routines, and aim for 7–8 hours of sleep each night.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Constipation: It refers to infrequent bowel movements. The stools are often dry, painful, and hard to pass. Constipation is a condition in which a person has fewer than 3 bowel movements per week. However, bowel patterns may vary from person to person. Symptoms include bloating, abdominal pain, and the feeling that bowel movements are incomplete. Constipation occurs when the regular muscle contractions in the large intestine slow, causing incomplete elimination of waste from the body. Constipation can be associated with a sudden change in diet, a low-fibre diet, insufficient fluid intake, lack of exercise, loss of bowel muscle tone in older individuals, or prolonged bed rest.
FAQs
Sodium Picosulfate is used to treat constipation associated with piles, anal fissures, hernias, cardiovascular disorders, endoscopy, bowel clearance before radioscopy, pre/post-operative conditions, and elderly and bedridden patients.
Sodium Picosulfate consists of Sodium Picosulphate, which is a stimulant laxative. It prevents the absorption of water in the colonic lumen and stimulates the colon's propulsive activity, thereby promoting the accumulation of water.
Do not take Sodium Picosulfate for more than a week, as it might lead to dependency on Sodium Picosulfate for a bowel movement. Taking Sodium Picosulfate for longer durations may also cause dehydration and an imbalance of fluids and salts in the body, which can affect the tightness of muscles in the intestine. If your bowel movements are irregular, even after taking Sodium Picosulfate for a week, consult your doctor.
Sodium Picosulfate does not help with weight loss. It does not reduce the absorption of calories or nutrients. Sodium Picosulfate may cause dehydration, which can lead to a feeling of weight loss. Drink enough liquids to prevent dehydration.
Consult your doctor before taking Sodium Picosulfate with other medications, as Sodium Picosulfate may increase the rate of gastrointestinal transit, which could affect the absorption of other orally administered medicines taken simultaneously.
Overuse or prolonged use of Sodium Picosulfate may cause dehydration. Severe dehydration may cause weakness, tremors, fainting, and blurry vision. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience these symptoms. Drink enough fluids to avoid dehydration.
Diarrhoea might occur if Sodium Picosulfate is taken in larger doses. Drink lots of fluids and eat food rich in fibre if you experience diarrhoea. If you find blood in your stools (tarry stools) or experience excessive diarrhoea, consult your doctor. Do not take anti-diarrheal medicine on your own.
