Movicol
Encyclopedia
Movicol is a brand-name laxative
manufactured by Norgine.
Each sachet of this medicine contains macrogol
(polyethylene glycol) 3350, an iso-osmotic laxative
, along with sodium bicarbonate
, sodium chloride
and potassium chloride
. Electrolytes are included to help mitigate the possibility of electrolyte imbalance and dehydration. The contents of the sachets are mixed with water
to make a drink.The range of Movicol includes Movicol Junior, Movicol-Half, Movicol Chocolate and Movicol Plain. Movicol is currently the largest selling laxative in the world in value terms.
Macrogol is an inert substance that passes through the gut
without being absorbed into the body. It relieves constipation
because it causes the water it is taken with, to be retained in the bowel instead of being absorbed into the body. This increases the water content and volume of the stools
in the bowel, making them softer and easier to pass. According to new guidelines previewed in a story at the University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Medicine (where one of the neurologists had been involved in establishing the new guidelines), isosmotic macrogol can be used to treat constipation in Parkinson's Disease patients (it is an often-overlooked non-motor symptom).
Laxative
Laxatives are foods, compounds, or drugs taken to induce bowel movements or to loosen the stool, most often taken to treat constipation. Certain stimulant, lubricant, and saline laxatives are used to evacuate the colon for rectal and/or bowel examinations, and may be supplemented by enemas under...
manufactured by Norgine.
Each sachet of this medicine contains macrogol
Macrogol
Macrogol is the International Nonproprietary Name for polyethylene glycol. Macrogols have been used as laxatives, i.e. to treat constipation....
(polyethylene glycol) 3350, an iso-osmotic laxative
Laxative
Laxatives are foods, compounds, or drugs taken to induce bowel movements or to loosen the stool, most often taken to treat constipation. Certain stimulant, lubricant, and saline laxatives are used to evacuate the colon for rectal and/or bowel examinations, and may be supplemented by enemas under...
, along with sodium bicarbonate
Sodium bicarbonate
Sodium bicarbonate or sodium hydrogen carbonate is the chemical compound with the formula Na HCO3. Sodium bicarbonate is a white solid that is crystalline but often appears as a fine powder. It has a slightly salty, alkaline taste resembling that of washing soda . The natural mineral form is...
, sodium chloride
Sodium chloride
Sodium chloride, also known as salt, common salt, table salt or halite, is an inorganic compound with the formula NaCl. Sodium chloride is the salt most responsible for the salinity of the ocean and of the extracellular fluid of many multicellular organisms...
and potassium chloride
Potassium chloride
The chemical compound potassium chloride is a metal halide salt composed of potassium and chlorine. In its pure state, it is odorless and has a white or colorless vitreous crystal appearance, with a crystal structure that cleaves easily in three directions. Potassium chloride crystals are...
. Electrolytes are included to help mitigate the possibility of electrolyte imbalance and dehydration. The contents of the sachets are mixed with water
Water
Water is a chemical substance with the chemical formula H2O. A water molecule contains one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms connected by covalent bonds. Water is a liquid at ambient conditions, but it often co-exists on Earth with its solid state, ice, and gaseous state . Water also exists in a...
to make a drink.The range of Movicol includes Movicol Junior, Movicol-Half, Movicol Chocolate and Movicol Plain. Movicol is currently the largest selling laxative in the world in value terms.
Macrogol is an inert substance that passes through the gut
Gut (zoology)
In zoology, the gut, also known as the alimentary canal or alimentary tract, is a tube by which bilaterian animals transfer food to the digestion organs. In large bilaterians the gut generally also has an exit, the anus, by which the animal disposes of solid wastes...
without being absorbed into the body. It relieves constipation
Constipation
Constipation refers to bowel movements that are infrequent or hard to pass. Constipation is a common cause of painful defecation...
because it causes the water it is taken with, to be retained in the bowel instead of being absorbed into the body. This increases the water content and volume of the stools
Human feces
Human feces , also known as a stool, is the waste product of the human digestive system including bacteria. It varies significantly in appearance, according to the state of the digestive system, diet and general health....
in the bowel, making them softer and easier to pass. According to new guidelines previewed in a story at the University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Medicine (where one of the neurologists had been involved in establishing the new guidelines), isosmotic macrogol can be used to treat constipation in Parkinson's Disease patients (it is an often-overlooked non-motor symptom).