Guttalax - instructions for use, laxative composition and release form, side effects and price

Guttalax drops are a laxative drug that stimulates intestinal function. The drug differs from other similar medications in its high efficiency and safety. Therefore, it is prescribed not only to adults, but also to children. To understand how to use the drops correctly, you need to familiarize yourself in detail with the composition and instructions of the medication.

Instructions for use Guttalax

Guttalax is produced by the German pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim international, founded in 1885. The medicine is a laxative that affects only the rectum, without affecting other organs, since it is poorly absorbed into the blood in the digestive system. The drug enhances intestinal motility by affecting the nerve endings of the internal walls of the organ, without causing spasms of the rectum.

Composition and release form

Guttalax is produced in the form of drops and tablets. The solution is a viscous transparent liquid placed in dropper bottles of 15 and 30 ml. The laxative effect on the body is achieved thanks to the following components:

The tablets are characterized by a round shape with beveled sides. The logo is embossed on one side. One blister contains 20 and 50 pieces. The active substance, as in the solution, is sodium picosulfate, but the auxiliary components are different. One tablet contains:

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

The active component of Guttalax is sodium picosulfate monohydrate, a laxative that causes rhythmic contractions of the muscles of the colon. Under the influence of intestinal microflora, sodium picosulfate acquires an active form - the metabolite bisphenol. This substance affects the calcium channels of intestinal smooth muscles, promotes the accumulation of fluid and electrolytes in the colon, increases its natural high-amplitude wave-like contractions (peristalsis), which stimulates the natural process of defecation.

The active component is absorbed into the blood slightly and enters the colon almost unchanged, thereby eliminating enterohepatic circulation. The drug is completely converted in the intestine to the state of an inactive glucuronide. This is the reason why the drug does not affect other organs. Sodium picosulfate leaves the body along with feces. Ten percent of the drug is processed by the kidneys, after which it is excreted in the urine.

Application of Guttalax

Lack of stool indicates health problems. For this reason, Guttalax tablets and drops are good as an emergency remedy for stool disorders and as a complex therapy. The drug is prescribed for the following pathologies:

• absence of stool for more than two days;
• atony (lack of normal tone) and hypotension (decreased motility) of the colon - observed in the elderly, after childbirth, during lactation, after surgical interventions, in bedridden patients;
• for softening stool in case of inoperable hernias, anal fissures, myocardial infarction, severe arterial hypertension, hemorrhoids (dilation of the veins of the lower part of the rectum), proctitis (inflammation of the intestinal mucosa);
• gallbladder pathology;
• irritable bowel syndrome, accompanied by a lack of stool;
• dysbiosis (imbalance between positive and pathogenic bacteria in favor of the latter);
• poor diet causing constipation;
• for cleansing the colon before surgery, conducting instrumental studies, after surgery;
• taking medications that cause constipation.

Constipation symptoms

With insufficient intestinal motility, constipation is usually chronic.

This condition may be associated with:

• with hormonal changes in the body after childbirth (an increased amount of progesterone reduces peristalsis);
• excessive stretching and weakening of the abdominal muscles during pregnancy;
• weakening of the intestinal muscles due to prolonged fetal pressure during pregnancy;
• displacement of intestinal loops that did not have time to fall into place after childbirth;
• fear of pushing with tears and cuts in the perineum and vagina or after a cesarean section;
• weakening of the pelvic floor muscles;
• unhealthy diet;
• insufficient physical activity.

The main symptoms of constipation, in addition to the lack of stool:

• increased gas formation, bloating;
• nausea;
• lack of appetite;
• drowsiness, weakness;
• feeling of fullness in the intestines after bowel movement;
• bad breath.

Stress can cause constipation, which is additionally accompanied by painful intestinal spasms like colic.

Atonic constipation is more common during breastfeeding.

Directions for use and dosage

In a healthy person, rectal peristalsis occurs six to seven times a day, mainly after sleep or eating. The effect of the medicine appears after 6-10 hours. For this reason, taking the drug must be coordinated with morning peristalsis: take it at night so that you can go to the toilet without problems in the morning. The laxative should not be used for more than a week; the recommended dose should not be exceeded. The duration of medication use and dosage should be agreed with your doctor.

How to take Guttalax drops

Before using Guttalax, the recommended amount of solution should be dissolved in a glass of water. The daily dose of the drug is:

• for adults and children over 10 years old, the initial dose is 7-8 drops. If the effect is too strong, the dosage should be reduced, if weak, increase to 20 drops;
• from 4 to 10 years, the dose is 5-10 drops per glass of water;
• For children under 4 years of age, the medicine is prescribed at the rate of 1 drop per 2 kg of weight. Treatment of young patients with Guttalax should only be done under the supervision of a doctor.

Guttalax tablets

The medicine in tablet form should be taken with plenty of liquid. The daily dose is:

• after 10 years: 1-2 tablets;
• from 4 to 10 years: 0.5-1 tablet;
• Guttalax tablets are not prescribed for children under 4 years of age.

"Guttalax" during pregnancy

As part of post-marketing clinical studies, the manufacturer continuously collects data on the use of the drug. Thus, considerable experience has been accumulated in the safe use of this medicine in pregnant women.

However, specialized clinical studies on this group of patients have not yet been conducted. Therefore, the instructions allow the use of Guttalax tablets and drops only if the expected expected benefit to the mother’s body is higher than the possible risk to the baby.

In any case, pregnant women should not self-medicate - all medication prescriptions should come from the observing obstetrician.

At the same time, it has been proven that the active substance of the drug does not pass into breast milk. This means that nursing mothers can safely use the laxative “Guttalax” to solve the problem of constipation.

special instructions

Do not use the product for a long time without consulting a doctor. If there is no effect, you need to urgently consult a doctor: there is a high probability that the problem is deeper than the patient thinks. It is extremely undesirable to take a laxative for more than ten days: the medicine can cause dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and low potassium levels.

Some patients lost consciousness and felt dizzy after taking the medicine. Studies have shown that the drug rarely causes such a reaction, and its appearance is a response to pain in the epigastric region (under the xiphoid process) or tension during bowel movements. If a patient experiences dizziness, fainting, or intestinal spasms during constipation, it is necessary to abandon hazardous activities and stop driving.

Customer Reviews

Maria Petrovna

I have known Guttalax for a long time. About 7 years ago, I started having heart problems and a cardiologist advised me to lose weight. I began to adhere to proper nutrition, and constipation began. At first I dealt with them with the help of fresh vegetables and fruits. Over time, these products stopped helping. A pharmacist I know recommended drops. They helped after the first use. I still drink them in courses. No other laxative helps.

Margarita, 34 years old

My son has been suffering from constipation almost since birth. We tried many drugs, but the laxative effect was weak in all of them. The pediatrician prescribed Guttalax. I can say that it saved me from constipation. My son stopped complaining of abdominal pain. We drink in courses, as recommended by the doctor. My feedback is only positive.

Varvara Petrovna, 57 years old

Constipation appeared immediately after surgery (the gallbladder was removed). I visited a doctor who prescribed these drops and recommended that I go on a diet. I don’t know what helped, but the stool returned to normal. The drug did not cause any side effects or discomfort. I would like to note that my friend took pills, but did not see any improvement. That's why I recommend only drops!

Elena, 27 years old

After giving birth, I could not restore the functioning of my digestion for a long time. If I eat something harmful, I always have difficulty defecating. The doctor recommended Guttalax drops, and I was still breastfeeding at that time. I felt relief after the first dose. I haven’t felt such lightness in my body for a long time. Unfortunately, after finishing the course of treatment, my delicate problem returned again. Now I don't know what to do. I'll probably go to the doctor again.

Gennady, 40 years old

In my opinion, this is the mildest, most effective and safest laxative. I don’t experience any serious problems, but sometimes constipation occurs due to errors in nutrition. In such cases, I can only save myself with drops. I drink them before bed, and in the morning I get a positive effect. This drug is always present in my medicine cabinet. I recommend him to all my friends/

Guttalax for children

The drug is prescribed to children only in the form of drops. Doctors are reluctant to prescribe Guttalax to infants. This is explained by the fact that in infants the intestinal microflora is not sufficiently developed, and the medicine can provoke dysbacteriosis. For this reason, Guttalax is prescribed for children after the age of two. Treatment of a child under ten years of age should be carried out only under the supervision of a doctor.

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For weight loss

Weight loss when consuming Gutallax is explained by the accelerated elimination of food without the absorption into the blood of nutrients necessary for the normal functioning of the body. At the same time, too rapid emptying flushes salts and minerals from the body, primarily potassium and magnesium. The result is prolonged intestinal upset, diarrhea, dysbacteriosis, vitamin deficiency, disruption of the stomach and other problems.

In addition, stimulation of the intestine worsens peristalsis: under the influence of artificial influence, it will become difficult to contract on its own. Nevertheless, the drug is effective as a means of losing weight, since its one-time use can, together with feces, remove toxins and waste from the intestines and relieve constipation caused by an improper diet.

In what cases is Guttalax suitable?

• First of all, sodium picosulfate is used for stool retention/constipation caused by a decrease in intestinal muscle tone - a common problem in bedridden patients, the elderly, women after childbirth, and people after surgery.

• Situational constipation associated with dietary flaws, low water consumption, dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota or the use of other medications (constipation as a side effect).

• Suitable for regulating bowel movements with the so-called irritable bowel syndrome, when the disease is characterized by a predominance of constipation.

• Can be used for diseases of the gallbladder, when a lack of liver enzymes leads to stagnation of digestion and constipation.

• In people with proctitis (inflammation of the mucous layer of the rectum), hemorrhoids, and fissures in the anorectal area, Guttalax can be used to regulate the consistency and frequency of stool. In the case of these diseases, stagnation of feces with the formation of hard, hard feces is unacceptable.

Drug interactions

If a patient takes other medications at the same time as Guttalax, it is necessary to consult a doctor about the compatibility of the drugs. Taking medications at the same time, at your own risk, can provoke various health problems:

• the use of Guttalax and corticosteroids causes an imbalance of electrolytes;
• long-term laxative treatment reduces the tolerance of cardiac glycosides due to problems with water-electrolyte metabolism;
• a high dose of Guttalax simultaneously with the use of glucocorticoid hormones or diuretics causes electrolyte disturbances and causes hypokalemia;
• Using Guttalax with antibiotics reduces the laxative effect.

Overdose

Exceeding the dose can cause dehydration and the development of side effects. Sometimes there are disturbances in the blood supply to the muscles of the colon due to pathological narrowing of the arteries (ischemic changes). Long-term use of the drug in increased quantities causes:

• secondary hyperaldosteronism (increased production of the hormone aldosterone, which controls the sodium-potassium balance);
• chronic diarrhea;
• urolithiasis;
• kidney tubule damage;
• metabolic alkalosis (increased blood acidity due to the accumulation of alkaline substances);
• pathological muscle weakness, fatigue due to increased potassium excretion.

If these symptoms appear, it is necessary to induce vomiting or perform a gastric lavage using an enema. Further treatment is aimed at restoring electrolyte balance and replenishing fluids in the body, for which you should drink a lot of water. In case of severe pain, antispasmodics, whose action is aimed at suppressing muscle spasm, have a good effect.

Drug safety

“Guttalax” is quite safe, as evidenced by the possibility of its use in the smallest children, as well as in pregnant and lactating women. It works directly in the colon, only a small amount of the active substance is absorbed into the bloodstream.

At the same time, any stimulation of the intestines can be accompanied by side effects: increased gas formation, a feeling of cramps, possible nausea and even vomiting. The use of any laxative is associated with the risk of developing the opposite condition - diarrhea (diarrhea).

All medications have the potential to cause an allergic reaction.

Contraindications

Guttalax should not be used for spastic constipation, when motor skills are impaired and intestinal spasms occur, delaying bowel movements. The feces are dry, hard, and injure the walls of the intestines and anus, which leads to bleeding. Also among the contraindications:

• peritonitis (inflammatory processes in the abdominal cavity);
• cystitis (inflammation of the bladder);
• metrorrhagia (uterine bleeding);
• bleeding of the digestive tract;
• intestinal obstruction;
• severe abdominal pain, especially accompanied by high fever and vomiting;
• intestinal inflammation;
• severe dehydration;
• allergic reaction to fructose;
• allergy to the components of the medicine.

Analogs

Analogs of Guttalax are available for sale, the active component of which is also sodium picosulfate in the same dosage. Medicines have a similar effect on the body, differing in auxiliary components:

• Regulax Picosulfate (Germany) – release form: drops. Excipients – sorbitol solution 70% non-crystallizing, propylene glycol. Daily dose: from 10 years – from 13 to 26 drops, from 4 to 10 years – 5-8 drops.
• Slabilen (Russia) - produced in the form of tablets and drops. Auxiliary components: sodium methylparaben, sorbitol hydrochloric acid solution 1 M. Daily dose: from 10 years – 10-30 drops or 5-10 mg in tablets, from 4 to 10 years – 5-8 drops. It is considered one of the cheapest analogues of Guttalax.
• Guttasil (Ukraine) – produced in the form of drops and tablets. Excipients: hydrochloric acid solution, sorbitol, sodium methyl parahydroxybenzoate. Daily dose: from 10 years – 13-27 drops. (5-10 mg), from 4 to 10 years – 7-13 drops. (2.5-5 mg), up to 4 years 2 drops. by 3 kg of weight. For children, the medicine can be added to food.
• Laxigal-Teva (Israel) – release form: drops. Daily dose: from 10 years – from 12 to 24 drops, from 4 to 10 years – 6.12 drops. Ingredients: liquid sorbitol 70% non-crystallized, hydrochloric acid, sodium ethyl parahydroxybenzoate.

How long does it take for Guttalax to work?

Like any internal laxative, this drug will take some time to take effect. Don't expect instant results - this is not an enema.

Typically, the onset of effect is from 6 to 12 hours. This depends on how quickly the active component is released from the original dosage form and reaches its immediate site of action - the large intestine.

In most cases, the liquid dosage form is absorbed faster than tablets. Faster and onset of effect. As for Guttalax, even if there is a difference, it will be insignificant. Therefore, you can decide for yourself which is better - tablets or drops, guided only by the price and age of the patient.

Guttalax price

You can buy Guttalax in Moscow and the Moscow region in regular pharmacies and online stores: