Formulary
Sodium picosulfate: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Sodium picosulfate is a stimulant laxative.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Sodium picosulfate: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Sodium picosulfate is a stimulant laxative.
Drug action
Sodium picosulfate is a stimulant laxative. After metabolism in the colon it stimulates the mucosa thereby increasing the motility of the large intestine.
Indications and dose
**Constipation**
- **Child** (By Mouth): 4-17 years 2.5-20 mg once daily, dose to be adjusted according to response.
- **Adult** (By Mouth): 5-10 mg once daily, dose to be taken at bedtime.
**Constipation (dose approved**
- **Child** (By Mouth): 11-17 years 5-10 mg once daily, dose to be taken at night, dose to be adjusted according to response.
- **Adult** (By Mouth): 5-10 mg once daily, dose to be taken at night.
**Constipation for sodium picosulfate**
- **Child 1 month-3 years** (By mouth): 2.5-10 mg once daily, dose to be adjusted according to response.
- **Child 4-17 years** (By mouth): 2.5-20 mg once daily, dose to be adjusted according to response.
**Constipation (dose approved for use by community practitioner nurse prescribers) for sodium picosulfate**
- **Child 1 month-3 years** (By mouth): 250 micrograms/kg once daily (max. per dose 5 mg), dose to be taken at night, dose to be adjusted according to response (on doctor's advice only).
- **Child 4-10 years** (By mouth): 2.5-5 mg once daily, dose to be taken at night, dose to be adjusted according to response (on doctor's advice only).
- **Child 11-17 years** (By mouth): 5-10 mg once daily, dose to be taken at night, dose to be adjusted according to response.
Contraindications
Intestinal obstruction; undiagnosed abdominal pain
Side effects
Common or very common Diarrhoea; gastrointestinal discomfort Uncommon Dizziness; nausea; vomiting Frequency not known Angioedema; skin reactions; syncope Side-effects, further information Prolonged or excessive use can cause diarrhoea and related effects such as hypokalaemia.
Interactions
**Other interactions (4):**
- Absorption of other orally administered medicines (e.g.
- Tetracycline and fluoroquinolone antibiotics, and penicillamine, should be taken at least 2 hours before and not less than 6 hours after administration of CitraFleet to avoid chelation with magnesium.
- Care should be taken with patients already receiving drugs which may be associated with hypokalaemia (such as diuretics or corticosteroids, or drugs where hypokalaemia is a particular risk i.e.
- Caution is also advised when CitraFleet is used in patients on NSAIDs or drugs known to induce SIADH e.g.
Pregnancy
Manufacturer states evidence limited but not known to be harmful.
Breast feeding
Specialist sources indicate suitable for use in breast-feeding in infants over 1 month-not known to be present in milk. D
Medicinal forms
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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